Clontuskert Abbey, Galway

In east Galway there is a beautiful forgotten ruin, Clontuskert Abbey. 

Officially the Augustinian Priory of Saint Mary, the Abbey was probably first founded some time after 1140/50.

There is a beautiful arched doorway replete with multiple carvings and interesting figures including a Mermaid and Griffins, its absolutely fantastic. 

There are several other carvings dotted about the Abbey here and there and a beautiful stoup(font).

It is believed the Abbey (Priory) was founded on the site of an earlier monastery.

The site was empty on a visit on 19/March/2020 and was perfect for getting out and about while practicing social distancing viz a viz Corvid 19 Corona Virus, which as of today, 25/March/2020 has yet to fully "explode" across Ireland.

I would highly recommend a visit to this tranquil and beautiful Abbey near Clontuskert if you get the chance. It's beautiful and peaceful in a nice area of the country.

The cloisters are somewhat intact and at the end of the cloisters is what I presume was part of a kitchen, it has several fireplace openings and what looks like an oven although I'm just making an uneducated guess here... 

Anyway, I'm sure if you get to visit Clontuskert you won't be disappointed. 

There is a small car park beside the Abbey but no signage into it when I visited.

Coordinates :

53°16'56.9"N 8°12'55.5"W

53.282473, -8.215403

Keep well and keep safe.

 

Duiske Abbey, Graignamanagh, Kilkenny

I had time recently for a short visit to Duiske Abbey in beautiful Graignamanagh, Kilkenny. 

I wished I had more time to look around and enjoy the lovely little town on the River Barrow and its beautifully restored Abbey.

It is a beautiful area full of outstanding natural beauty and beautiful old buildings. You can almost feel the ages and the history on the air.

The wonderful Duiske Abbey should be on everyone's itinerary to visit at least once. Entrance is free and the restoration work is a credit to those who undertook it. 

The magnificently restored ceiling was constructed without the use of a single nail.

The original Cistercian monastery was founded here c.1204 by monks from Wiltshire in England. The Abbey that grew from this original settlement was built over a period of 40 years and at one stage there were around 5000 monks at Graignamanagh.

Graignamanagh is an Irish derivation and means "Village of the monks."

Despite the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530's by Henry VIII some monks remained on at Duiske until some time around 1686.

Sometime after that the buildings were abandoned and going into ruin and c. 1744 its great central Bell Tower collapsed.

In both 1754 and 1812 partial restorations took place but it wasn't until c.1974 that proper restoration work began.

At Duiske Abbey are a 13th Cty Knight effigy, a Romanesque Processional Doorway, a stunning Rose window, a floor tile dedicated to Martin Doyle P.P. of the Tithe Wars and an ancient Granite Font from nearby Ullard among a host of other historical items.

In the gounds outside are two High Crosses and a number of other antiquities. This is a place where hopefully I can find the time to return and spend longer enjoying the History and Heritage. The town itself is set in a wonderfully panoramic area.

Graignamanagh -  Get there and enjoy Ireland at it's best.