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Abbeys & Monasteries in County Galway

Gaillimh · Connacht · 20 places

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County Galway (Gaillimh) in Connacht features 20 mapped abbeys & monasteries, led by Kylemore Abbey, Claregalway Friary, and Clontuskert Abbey. Across these 20 listings, 5 feature verified photography and 18 include mapped nearby public parking. Historic monastic settlements, friaries, and ruined abbeys.

Showing 20 of 20 places

Kylemore Abbey — photo by Textman at Dutch Wikipedia

(Original text: Textman)
AbbeyGalway

Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey (Irish: Mainistir na Coille Móire) is a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The Abbey was founded for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in the First World War. Since 2022, it has belonged to the English Benedictine Congregation. Under The Kylemore Trust, it continues its mission as a Benedictine monastery, holding Kylemore and its spiritual mission, natural and built heritage in trust for the Irish nation. Kylemore Abbey also operates as one of Ireland's leading visitor attractions.

Claregalway Friary — photo by Charles Mount/Cmount
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Claregalway Friary

The Claregalway Friary (Irish: Mainistir Bhaile Chláir) is a ruined medieval Franciscan abbey in Claregalway, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey site features an east-facing, cruciform church (minus a south transept) with a 24-metre (80 ft) bell tower. The ruins of the living quarters and cloister are situated to the south of the church building.

Clontuskert Abbey — photo by JohnArmagh
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Clontuskert Abbey

The Priory of Saint Mary, Clontuskert-Hy-Many, also called Clontuskert Abbey, is a medieval Augustinian priory and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.

Kilconnell Abbey — photo by Andreas F. Borchert
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Kilconnell Abbey

Kilconnell or Killconnell Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Chill Chonaill) is a ruined medieval Franciscan friary located in Kilconnell, County Galway, Ireland.

AbbeyKilmacduagh Monastery
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Kilmacduagh Monastery

Kilmacduagh Monastery is a ruined abbey near the town of Gort in County Galway, Ireland. It was the birthplace of the Diocese of Kilmacduagh. It was reportedly founded by Saint Colman, son of Duagh in the 7th century, on land given him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht.

AbbeyRoss Errilly Friary
AbbeyGalway

Ross Errilly Friary

The Ross Errilly Friary (Irish: Mainistir an Rois, often anglicised in 18th and 19th century sources as Rosserelly) is a medieval Franciscan friary located on the Black River about a mile to the northwest of Headford, County Galway, Ireland. It is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country. Though usually referred to by locals as "Ross Abbey," this is not technically correct as the community never had an abbot. The church and bell tower are to the south of a small but well preserved central cloister, with domestic buildings to the north. Amongst these are a kitchen (equipped with an oven and a water tank for live fish), a bake house, and a refectory or dining area. The dormitories are on the upper levels. One unusual feature is a second courtyard or cloister, built to accommodate the friary's growing population. Like many other abandoned Christian sites in Ireland, Ross Errilly has continued to be used as a burial ground by area residents. In addition to tombs that date from the friary's active period, many graves dating from the 18th through 20th centuries can be found inside the church walls. In some cases, tombstones comprise the floors of walkways and crawlspaces.

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Abbey

Annaghdown Abbey (full title: the Abbey of St Mary de Portu Patrum but also commonly known as Annaghdown Priory) is a ruined house of the Arroasian canons in the townland of Annaghdown, County Galway, Ireland. The site was probably founded by Turlough O'Conor around 1140 and dissolved after the Reformation in 1562 (see Reformation in Ireland). The remaining ruins include a church, a cloister and living quarters. Some details of the windows suggest that they were constructed in the 13th century while the south window of the choir is in the transitional style from c. 1200. As the east window itself appears to be missing and the east window of Annaghdown Cathedral, 110 metres (360 ft) in a south-east direction, is of a similar period, it is possible that it was moved to the cathedral. Author Peter Harbison posits that the perfect fit of the east window of the cathedral does not make a late move likely. The ruins of Annaghdown Abbey are a National Monument.

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