Moyne Abbey

Killala, Ireland

Moyne Abbey is a ruined medieval Franciscan friary in Killala, County Mayo. It was founded before the year 1455 by Fr Nehemias O'Donoghue, who was the provincial vicar at the time, and consecrated in 1462. It is located north of Ballina on the west side of Killala Bay on the old Ballina or 'French' road. Like its neighbour, Rosserk Friary, it was burnt by Sir Richard Bingham, Elizabeth I of England's governor of Connacht, in 1590 in Reformationist zeal. It’s believed friars continued to reside there until about 1800.

The friary was built in the late Irish Gothic style and has extensive ruins, consisting of a church and domestic buildings situated around a central cloister. Its west doorway is a seventeenth insertion. Its east window displays fine switchline tracery.

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Killala, Ireland
See all sites in Killala

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Religious sites in Ireland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

dominika kijanka (5 months ago)
Finding Moyne Abbey was quite confusing since the way there takes you through what seems like someone’s private land. The gate had warning signs about private property and bulls, which made us hesitant to go further. Not being from the area, it felt more like trespassing, definitely not very inviting. It’s a shame because the abbey looks stunning in photos, but the access situation really put us off exploring it.
Laurens Weijs (7 months ago)
Very cute abandoned abbey, as other reviews tell, ignore the sign that it is on private property you can just walk to it although not really any parking spots :s
Jimena Miramontes Plaza (9 months ago)
It’s just beautiful! Walking through there, I imagine all the stories. Completely worthy!..
Jon Sieg (3 years ago)
Ignore the grumpy signs - the public has access to this site, just don’t bring a dog or other animals. There are stairs and a short access road through a working farm, and then you reach the abbey which is an absolute treasure - huge, beautiful, haunting, and (at least when we visited) completely empty except for us and the crows. Honestly surprised this isn’t a bigger draw - one of the best sites we have visited in our time in Mayo. Would hope the County could sort something out with the neighbor so he stops (illegitimately) scaring people off one of the great sites of North Mayo.
Aidan McLoughlin (4 years ago)
Really cool place to see. It's a pretty big Abbey and very well kept all around it. A small stream runs through the Abbey and into the River Moy which is only a stones throw away from the Abbey itself. Unfortunately you can't climb the tower in the Abbey as there is a locked gate preventing you from doing so. You have to walk through a farm to get to the Abbey but it is still very easy get to. If the day is anyways wet you would be better to bring boots or wellingtons with you.
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