Creevelea Abbey, Dromahair, Ireland

Creevelea Abbey is a medieval Franciscan friary located in Dromahair, County Leitrim, Ireland. It is now in use for as a grave yard.

Creevelea Friary was founded in 1508 by Eóghan O'Rourke, Lord of West Bréifne, and his wife Margaret O'Brian, daughter of a King of Thomond. The friary was accidentally burned in 1536 and was rebuilt by Brian Ballach O'Rourke. In 1590 Richard Bingham stabled his horses at Creevelea during his pursuit of Brian O'Rourke, who had sheltered survivors of the Spanish Armada. It was dissolved c. 1598.

Sir Tadhg O'Rourke (d. 1605), last King of West Bréifne and Thaddeus Francis O'Rourke (d. 1735), Bishop of Killala are buried here. Another house was built for the friars in 1618 and Creevelea was reoccupied by friars in 1642. The Franciscans were driven out by the Cromwellian Army in the 1650s. After the Restoration, the abbey remained in use until 1837.

The remains consist of the church (nave, chancel, transept and choir), chapter house, cloister and domestic buildings. The bell-tower was converted to living quarters in the 17th century. At one point in its history the church was covered with a thatched roof. Carved in the cloister is an image of Saint Francis of Assisi preaching to birds.

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User Reviews

James Conn (13 months ago)
Nice old friary. Close to Riverbank Restaurant, great place to have lunch.

Nic R (14 months ago)
Surprisingly large Abbey (ruins). Definitely worth s visit! You can park your car in Dromahair and take a short walk along the river (follow the sign "Sligo Way" from village center).

Nan Ridge (15 months ago)
Lovely and there is small walk beside the friary

Derek Mac Dermott (16 months ago)
Beautifully maintained ruins within a grave yard integrated between the walls.

Ha-Ru (17 months ago)
Good signage. Lovely well kept ruin in peaceful location. Information board. Plenty of parking as next to a modern graveyard.

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The arrival of the Maurist monks in 1659, after the disasters of the Wars of Religion, helped to get the abbey back on a firmer spiritual, architectural and economic footing. They erected a large monastic building one wing of which fitted tightly around the chapter house (which was otherwise left as it was).

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