Ballintubber Abbey
Encyclopedia
Ballintubber Abbey is a royal abbey
in Co. Mayo
, Ireland
, founded by King Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
in 1216. It is said to be the only church in Ireland founded by an Irish king that is still in regular use.
Despite being suppressed and damaged during the reformation, the roofless abbey continued to be used throughout penal times
by Catholics. In 1966 the nave was restored and reroofed, in time for the 750th anniversary of the abbey's foundation, and in 1997 the Chapter House and Dorter area were restored and reroofed. It is planned to restore the entire east wing before the 800th year celebration in 2016.
The abbey has several modern outdoor attractions, including a very modern abstract Way of the Cross, an underground permanent Crib, and a Rosary Way. There is a small museum. According to the Ballintubber website, Seán na Sagart
, the infamous priest-hunter, is buried in the cemetery. A large tree marks the spot.
Pierce Brosnan
was married there, and the abbey marks the beginning of Tochar Phádraig
, the ancient pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick
, long defunct but now reopened as a cross-country pilgrimage/tourist trail.
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
in Co. Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, founded by King Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair , the youngest son of the Irish High King Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, was a King of Connacht....
in 1216. It is said to be the only church in Ireland founded by an Irish king that is still in regular use.
Despite being suppressed and damaged during the reformation, the roofless abbey continued to be used throughout penal times
Penal Laws (Ireland)
The term Penal Laws in Ireland were a series of laws imposed under English and later British rule that sought to discriminate against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters in favour of members of the established Church of Ireland....
by Catholics. In 1966 the nave was restored and reroofed, in time for the 750th anniversary of the abbey's foundation, and in 1997 the Chapter House and Dorter area were restored and reroofed. It is planned to restore the entire east wing before the 800th year celebration in 2016.
The abbey has several modern outdoor attractions, including a very modern abstract Way of the Cross, an underground permanent Crib, and a Rosary Way. There is a small museum. According to the Ballintubber website, Seán na Sagart
Sean na Sagart
Seán na Sagart was a notorious priest hunter during Penal Times in Ireland.Born John Mullowney in Derrew, near Ballyheane, County Mayo, he began his career as a horse thief but was arrested and sentenced to death in Castlebar in his youth...
, the infamous priest-hunter, is buried in the cemetery. A large tree marks the spot.
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
was married there, and the abbey marks the beginning of Tochar Phádraig
Patrick's Causeway
Patrick's Causeway is an old pilgrim road to Croagh Patrick in the west of Ireland in County Mayo.The road is named after Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, but pre-dates Christianity; it was probably built around 350AD, as the main route from Cruachan to Cruachan Aigle, the pagan name for...
, the ancient pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick , nicknamed the Reek, is a tall mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland. It is from Westport, above the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. It is the third highest mountain in County Mayo after Mweelrea and Nephin. On "Reek Sunday", the last...
, long defunct but now reopened as a cross-country pilgrimage/tourist trail.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Mayo)