Abbeydorney Abbey
Encyclopedia
Abbeydorney Abbey, also known as Kyrie Eleison Abbey or Odorney was founded by the O Torna, chieftain of the region, in 1154 for the Cistercians from Monasteranenagh.
The abbey was the daughter-house of Nenay Abbey in County Limerick
, and was the only medieval Cistercian house in County Kerry
.
The name given by the Cistercians, Kyrie Eleison (from Greek
: Lord Have Mercy) was in accordance with the order's tradition of giving names which reflected the locality - in this instance the word Kyrie (Lord
) being similar to Ciarrai
(County Kerry
).
The first abbot was Christian O Conarchy who retired to the abbey where he spent his remaining years, being buried there in 1186.
A subsequent abbot was deposed in 1227 after being involved in the Conspiracy of Mellifont.
The foundation was dissolved in 1537.
The remains visible today include the 15th century abbey church with west tower and some of the claustral buildings. The grounds are largely occupied by gravestones and are currently in use as a cemetery.
The abbey was the daughter-house of Nenay Abbey in County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, and was the only medieval Cistercian house in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
.
The name given by the Cistercians, Kyrie Eleison (from Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Lord Have Mercy) was in accordance with the order's tradition of giving names which reflected the locality - in this instance the word Kyrie (Lord
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
) being similar to Ciarrai
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
(County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
).
The first abbot was Christian O Conarchy who retired to the abbey where he spent his remaining years, being buried there in 1186.
A subsequent abbot was deposed in 1227 after being involved in the Conspiracy of Mellifont.
The foundation was dissolved in 1537.
The remains visible today include the 15th century abbey church with west tower and some of the claustral buildings. The grounds are largely occupied by gravestones and are currently in use as a cemetery.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kerry)
- AbbeydorneyAbbeydorneyAbbeydorney is a village in County Kerry in Ireland. Located 9 km north of Tralee, the county town of County Kerry, Abbeydorney had a population in 2002 of 1,140 and forms part of the parish of Abbeydorney / Kilflynn.-Abbey :...
External links
- Church Ruins:http://homepage.tinet.ie/~abbeydorney/krrieeleisonabbey6.jpg
- View of Abbey Ruins:http://homepage.tinet.ie/~abbeydorney/krrieeleisonabbey1.jpg
- Modern Church:http://homepage.tinet.ie/~abbeydorney/5.jpg
