Lislaughtin Abbey is a medieval Franciscan

friary A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...

and

National Monument A national monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of importance to national heritage, such as a country's founding, independence, war, or the life and death of a historical figure. The term may also refer to a spec ...

located in

County Kerry County Kerry ( gle, Contae Chiarraí) is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and forms part of the province of Munster. It is named after the Ciarraige who lived in part of the present county. The population of the co ...

, Ireland.

Location

Lislaughtin Abbey is located north of

Ballylongford Ballylongford (historically ''Bealalongford'', from ) is a village near Listowel in northern County Kerry, Ireland. Geography The village is situated near the estuary of the Ballyline River, on Ballylongford Bay, a tidal estuary of the River Sha ...

, on the east bank of the Ballylongford Creek and to the south of the

Shannon Estuary The Shannon Estuary ( gle, Inbhear na Sionainne) is a large estuary where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary has Limerick City at its head and its seaward limits are marked by Loop Head to the north and Kerry Head to th ...

History

The friary was founded for the Order of Friars Minor (Observant Franciscan Friars) in 1470 by John O'Connor, Lord of Kerry Luachra and Iraghticonnor. Permission was granted by

Pope Sixtus IV Pope Sixtus IV ( it, Sisto IV: 21 July 1414 – 12 August 1484), born Francesco della Rovere, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 August 1471 to his death in August 1484. His accomplishments as pope include ...

in 1477. It was named after Saint Lachtin (died AD 622) who brought Christianity to the area. A silver processional cross was commissioned in 1479; it is now known as the Lislaughtin or Ballymacasey cross and is held at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. Lislaughtin Abbey from Graveyard

Lord Iraghticonnor was buried at the friary in 1485. Thomas fitz Gerald, heir of the Knight of Glin, was buried there in 1567 after his execution. During the

Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle The siege of Carrigafoyle Castle took place on Easter in 1580 near modern-day Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland, on the southern bank of the Shannon estuary. The engagement was part of the English crown's campaign against the forces of Gera ...

(1580) the abbey was twice raided by English soldiers. The abbey was then dissolved, although the church and graveyard remained in use by the local Catholic population, and some friars returned in 1629. During one of these attacks the Lislaughtin cross was buried for safety, and it was found by a local farmer in March 1871.

Buildings

The abbey church is a long house divided into choir and nave with triple sedilia; the collapsed square tower was over the choir arch. The thirty windows are pointed and of cut limestone. A two-storey building contained refectory and

dormitory A dormitory (originated from the Latin word ''dormitorium'', often abbreviated to dorm) is a building primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people such as boarding school, high school, college or university s ...

. To the northeast is the garderobe.

References

External links

*{{Youtube, 3O1yEh9pUJg Franciscan monasteries in the Republic of Ireland Religion in County Kerry Archaeological sites in County Kerry National Monuments in County Kerry 1477 establishments in Europe