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Irish Abbeys & Priories

cornerstones of medieval irish life

Ireland is home to hundreds of abbeys, priories, friaries and monasteries in various states of repair. Since the island's medieval conversion to Catholicism by Saint Patrick, these holy houses became the heart of Irish culture and the physical centers of just about all Irish settlements.

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Today, except for a small handful of well known sites, most ruins are largely unvisited by tourists. Many sites are quite large and you can spend hours exploring without seeing another living soul.

Carving in Ross Errilley Friary

Carving in Ross Errilley Friary

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Carving

Glendalough Round Towers

Glendalough Round Towers

Jerpoint Abbey Celtic High Cross

Jerpoint Abbey Celtic High Cross

Corcomroe Abbey Ruins

Corcomroe Abbey Ruins

Corcomroe Abbey Ruins

Corcomroe Abbey Ruins

Jerpoint Abbey Tomb Weepers

Jerpoint Abbey Tomb Weepers

Corcomroe Abbey Column Carving

Corcomroe Abbey Column Carving

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister Column Base

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister Column Base

St Joseph Statue Athassel Priory

St Joseph Statue Athassel Priory

Boyle Abbey Arch

Boyle Abbey Arch

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Carving

Kells Priory Gatehouse Co Kilkenny

Kells Priory Gatehouse Co Kilkenny

Corcomroe Abbey Columns and Window

Corcomroe Abbey Columns and Window

Ross Errilley Friary

Ross Errilley Friary

Corcomroe Column Flower Carvings

Corcomroe Column Flower Carvings

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dsc_0339adj_fullhd_wm

Ross Errilley Friary Exterior

Ross Errilley Friary Exterior

Ross Errilley Friary Cloister Arcade

Ross Errilley Friary Cloister Arcade

Athassel Priory Ruins

Athassel Priory Ruins

Glendalough Ruins

Glendalough Ruins

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister Figure

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister Figure

Boyle Abbey Arch & Carving

Boyle Abbey Arch & Carving

Inside Boyle Abbey Round Tower

Inside Boyle Abbey Round Tower

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Carving

Boyle Abbey Arcade

Boyle Abbey Arcade

Jerpoint Abbey Nave Ruins

Jerpoint Abbey Nave Ruins

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister

Jerpoint Abbey Cloister

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