Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.
Abbreviations and Key
The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus:
*
current monastic function
+
current non-monastic ecclesiastic function
^
current non-ecclesiastic function
=
remains incorporated into later structure
#
no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~
exact site of monastic foundation unknown
ø
possibly no such monastic foundation at location
¤
no such monastic foundation
≈
identification ambiguous or confused
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).
Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1170?; dissolved 1543; granted to Ulick Bourke (William Ulick de Burgo Mac William), first Earl of Clanrickard (Clanricarde) 1543/1544, who probably did not evict the canons, who possibly remained until the reign of Elizabeth I
The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Gormacan ____________________ Gormacan Abbey; Abbey Gormogan Abbey; Monaster O Gormogan; de Via Nova; Nova Via
Premonstratensian Canons daughter house of Tuam; founded before 1224; raised to abbey status c.1236; dissolved after 1542?; apparently the abbey was the most northerly of the ruins (known as 'the Nunnery') at Annaghdown; dissolved 1562; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde 1572; granted to the warden and vicars of King's College, Galway 8 July 1578
Augustinian Canons and Canonesses Regular — Arroasian founded after c.1140, possibly by Turlough O'Conor at the instance of St Malachy; identification sometimes confused with the Premonstratensian foundation to the north; dissolved before 1578, granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde 1562
early monastic site, Gaelic nuns founded 6th (before 578) century by St Brendan for his sister Briga, site traditionally granted by the King of Connacht; Augustinian nuns — Arroaisian adopted after 1144; priory, dependent on Clonard; integrated into the Abbey of St Mary de Portu Patrum c.1144; episcopal diocesan cathedral before 1189 (and after 1152); church of St Mary Evachdun, cum villa Kelgel confirmed to the Arroaisians of Clonard 1195; dependent on Kilcreevannty from before 1223, church of St Mary Eanchduyn confirmed to the Arroasians of Kilcreevanty c.1123 and 1400; diocese united with Tuam 1327; canons and canonesses possibly shared the same church; dissolved after 1223-4, nuns possibly transferred to Inishmaine
Dominican Friars founded 1241; dissolved 1574; granted to the town; reoccupied 1595; Regular Observant date unknown; dissolved c.1597, burned with the town during hostilities; friars granted a new site at Coilascail, infra; became a university 1644; site recovered by friars 1685, retained until the general exile 1698; used as a barracks 18th century; (NM)
The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul ____________________ Ath-na-riogh; Ath-na-rig; Anry
early monastic site, founded before 741; Augustinian Canons Regular - (?)Arroasian founded before 1170? or 1220, doubtfully purportedy by a Butler (Theobald Walter, first Butler of Ireland[notes 6]), more likely by an O'Kelly, with a Butler as a later benefactor; burned 1307; dissolved c.1562?; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricard; Augustinian Friars
St Catherine ____________________ Eachdruim; Acharym-Omane; Aghrim; Achdrum; Echraim Enachdruim-Omane
Carmelite Friars founded not later than 1336 (c.1320) by the Berminghams, barons of Athenry; dissolved 1589; granted to John Rawson 1589; restored 1735 (c.1737); closed c.1775
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded before c.1252 by John de Colgan I;[notes 11] dissolved 1542; granted to Richard de Burgo 1570; friars remained Observant Franciscan Friars adopted 1567?; dissolved c.1589, friars expelled by Sir Richard Bingham, who converted the buildings into barracks; friars permitted use of part of the monastery until expelled again; friars attempted to restore monastery after 1641; chapel in use until 18th century; (NM)
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1435 by Thomas O'Kelly, Bishop of Clonfert, converting the church into a friary at the instance of David and John Mullkerrill; Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual refounded 1453, papal permission obtained by David Mullkerrill
early monastic site, founded c.805 (before 809), by St Boedan; Augustinian Canons Regular - Arroasian founded after 1140, probably by the O'Kelly family; dissolved 1562 Augustinian Friars possibly restored 1637; (NM)
The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Clontuskert ____________________ Clontuskert Abbey; The Old Abbey; Cluain-tuaiskirt-ua-maine; Clontuskert-Omanny
early monastic site Augustinian Friars founded c.1423 (before 1425) by Walter Mor de Bermingham, 9th Baron Athenry; dissolved 1569, friars remained in occupancy; held by John Burke fitz Thomas 1574; friars left in 1645, taking refuge at Mayfield
Dominican Friars — Regular Observance founded after 1622, site granted by Ulrick Burke, Earl of Clanricarde, at the request of the Provincial, Fr Ross Mageoghegan and other friars; it became St. Dominic's College used for formation of members of the order; friars left in the late 19th century, handing the convent over to the Diocese of Clonfert in 1893 who used it for a short time for clerical training.
Franciscan Friars - probable confusion for Killeigh (Fallig), County Offaly[notes 13]
Faghy; Fahy
Galway Augustinian Friary
Augustinian Friars founded 1500 by Margaret Athy, at the request of Richard Nagle; dissolved before 1578; leased to the town 1578; demolished 1652 in order to use the strategic position of the site
Dominican nuns founded 1686 in Kirwan's Lane; expelled on a number of occasions 1691 convent, known as The Slate House, in use as barracks for British soldiers; fell into disrepair; destroyed by fire 1842
Franciscan nuns, (?)Third Order founded 1511, church of St Nicholas purportedly granted by Walter Lynch to his daughter; dissolved during the reign of Elizabeth I
St Nicholas; ____________________ The house of the poor nuns of St Francis
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1296 by William de Burgo; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1460, and again before 1520; Conventuals and Observants apparently continued together, the latter in the minority; Conventuals attempted to evict Observants 1533 but were overruled; dissolved 1550; reoccupied during the reign of Queen Mary; leased to the mayor and townsmen c.1569, renewed 1578; community apparently extant until 1583 when the friars left and church burnt; returned 1612 and rebuilt the church; destroyed 1657; converted into a court house; current court house on site
possibly formerly a hospital administered by the Premonstratensians Premonstratensian Canons daughter house of Tuam; founded 1235, church purportedly granted to Tuam by the O'Halleran family; dissolved before 1451: relegated to chapel; left empty for a significant period by 1480; Dominican Friars founded 1488, granted licence by Innocent III; dissolved 1570; granted to the town corporation; possibly a vicariate of Athenry, raised to priory status 1612; dissolved 1651
Blessed Virgin Mary extra Muros; St Mary on the Hill
early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 7th century by St Coleman supposed Benedictine monks — evidence lacking; suggested Augustinian Canons Regular during the reign of Henry VIII — evidence lacking
early monastic site, purportedly granted to St Enda, aided by St Ailbe of Emly, by Oengus, King of Munster Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular[notes 17] or First Order[notes 18] founded after 1484, founder unknown;[notes 19] First Order possibly transferred to the Third Order after 1560; dissolved ? (during the reign of Elizabeth I?), abandoned during the religious persecution
Ara-na-naemh; Ara-Enda; Killenda; Na Seacht dTeampaill; (The Seven Churches)
Franciscan Friars founded 1414 (1353 or c.1353) by William O'Kelly, Lord of Ui Maine; dissolved 1541; on the site of an earlier monastery (see immediately below); (NM)
early monastic site; Premonstratensian Canons daughter house of Annaghdown; founded 1260 by an abbot of St John de Cella Parva, Annaghdown; dissolved c.1542?, probably suppressed
St Mary de Cella Parva Cellnamanagh; Kilnamanoch; Killinimanach; Cella Parva St Mary Cell-coemain
early monastic site, founded 6th-7th century by St Colman son of Duagh on land granted by Guaire, King ruined by William Fitz Adelm de Burgo early 13th century; episcopal diocesan cathedral 11th century; Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1225-50; dissolved 1584; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde
St Mary de Petra ____________________ Cell-mic-duaich; Duaca; Kil-macough
Carthusian monks — possibly from Hinton founded c.1252 by John de Cogan I; purportedly destroyed 1279 and if so, rebuilt soon after; sold to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem 1306 - the Knights appear to have held appurtenances, though the sale appears never to have completed; dissolved by General Chapter the Grande Chartreuse 1321; abandoned by the monks c.1341; Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual refounded c.1371 by the de Burgos, granted by the Pope; destroyed after the general suppression; purchased from Elizabeth I by Richard de Burgo (Rufus), Earl of Clanricarde, who retained it for the friars dissolved before 1609; Observant Franciscan Friars refounded 1611; dissolved after 1642; friars probably expelled under the Cromwellians; returned during the reign of Charles II
Cistercian monks — from Boyle founded 1190 by Cathal Crobderg O'Conor, King of Connacht; dissolved 1542, surrendered by Abbot Hugh O'Kelly 24 May 1542, though a secularised form of monasticism apparently continued; let to Andrew Brereton for 21 years, 1566; part granted to Nicholas FitzSymons 1568; QE
Carmelite Friars founded c.1300 by Richard de Burgo, Earl of Ulster; dissolved before 1541; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde 1652; friars permitted to remain; Teresian (Discalced) Carmelites occupied intermittently from 1640
St Mary ____________________ Loch-riach; Laughreagh; Lough-Reogh; Balliloc riagh
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1414, mandate to license a Franciscan foundation issued to the Bishop of Clonfert by the Pope; Observant Franciscan Friars refounded 1479; dissolved 1559, suppressed and ruined; restored 1595; dissolved after 1595; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde; church and buildings largely destroyed by c.1616; Observant Franciscan Friars 1680, intermittently until 1852; now R.C. church
Dominican monks founded before 1414 by Murchad? O'Madden, Lord, on the site of the Cistercian monks' priory(see immediately below); dissolved c.1582; granted to the Earls of Clanricarde 1582; part used as C.I. church 1631; choir became C.I. church 1762; Observant refounded before 1426
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1351 (1431) by Raymond de Burgo; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1470 (1498) by the Grannard family (William, Lord Grannard?); dissolved 1562; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde by Elizabeth I 1562; friars afforded protection by Clanricarde friars left before 1580; re-established by Clanricarde 1580; expelled by Protestants and English soldiers 1580; occupied by English soldiers 1596; friars reinstated before 1601; abandoned by friars to escape imprisonment; reinstated 1611 by Clanricarde; expelled 1612; returned 1626 and 1641; abandoned 1656; reoccupied and repaired 1664; abandoned after 1688; returned 1712; possibly expelled 1731; returned 1753, restored by Lord St George; dissolved 1832; ruinous by 1835; (NM)
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded before 1442, mandate issued to the Bishop of Ballysadare by the Pope; dissolved 1574; granted to Thomas Lewes 5 April 1574
Dominican Friars dependent on Athenry; apparently founded after January 1427 by Chieftain O'Flaherty, when papal licence obtained to build a monastery; dubiously suggested Augustinian Friars - Dominicans possibly gave shelter to friars of other orders in penal periods dissolved after 1558; seized by the Protestants reoccupied 18th century
St Patrick ____________________ Tuaim-beola; Tom-beola; Tum-beola
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian priory or hospital founded c.1140 by Turlogh O'Connor; raised to abbey status c.1360?; dissolved c.1562, c.1572; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde; Augustinian Friars refounded
St John the Evangelist ____________________ St John in the suburbs
Tuam Friary
Fratres Cruciferi founded 1140 by an O'Connor
Tuam Nunnery
purported nuns or Premonstratensian Canonesses — evidence lacking; a tenement owned by the Arroasian nuns of Kilcrevanty existed in Tuam (Tuaym) 1223-4
Tuam Premonstratensian Abbey
Premonstratensian Canons daughter house of Cockersand?; founded 1203-4?; revived from Prémontre? 1217-8?; burned with the town and other churches 1244; dissolved c.1574
The Holy Trinity ____________________ Tuaim-da-ghuallann; Tuaim-da-gualand; Tuaim-da-valuin
order, foundation and period unknown — listed 1574; the church of the Shrine apparently adjacent to the cathedral — possible reference to the vicars' college or Fratres Cruciferi
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^Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.280, 234-5, mistakes Nenagh/Aonagh (Annagh/Enach) for Annaghdown, error replicated by others
^Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, p.281 and Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.277
^not John de Colgan II as suggested by Ware and others
^Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.231 mistakenly states Dunmore Friary was located on the site of an early monastery
^Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.285 suggests Fallig (given as Observant Franciscans by Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, p.289) is Faghy, County Galway
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