List of monastic houses in County Tipperary

Numerous Christian monasteries have existed in the territory that is now County Tipperary in Ireland, some founded in the Celtic Christian period and more after the reforms of Saint Malachy. The Reformation in Ireland saw the dissolution of the monasteries, but after the easing of the Penal Laws against Roman Catholicism new ones were opened.

Overview

In this article smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Templars and Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.

Article layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.

Formal Name or Dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.

Alternative Names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

Monastic Glossary: following the listing, provides links to articles on the particular monastic orders as well as other terms which appear in the listing.

Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary
remains unless indicated thus:

*	current monastic function
+	current non-monastic ecclesiastic function
^	current non-ecclesiastic function
=	remains incorporated into later structure
#	no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~	exact site of monastic foundation unknown
ø	possibly no such monastic foundation at location
¤	no such monastic foundation
≈	identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location)
or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).

Trusteeship denoted as follows:

NM	National Monument
C.I.	Church of Ireland
R.C.	Roman Catholic Church

Alphabetical listing of establishments

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	OnLine References & Location
Achfad Grange ~		Crutched Friars non-conventual grange of St John the Baptist's, Dublin; leased to the Countess of Ormond 1541	Athforth; Baptistgrange
Ardcrony Monastery		early monastic site, under coarbs	Ardcroine
Ardfinnan Monastery #		early monastic site, founded late 7th century? by St Finan Lobhar (Finan the Leper); burned by the Normans 1178 Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular foundation and founder unknown; dissolved c.1542; occupancy by Robert Butler 1548	Ard-finain; Ard-fenan
Ardfinnan Preceptory? #		possibly Knights Templar, initially under Templetown; Knights Hospitaller, under Kilsaran founded 1212? (when church confirmed to the Hospitallers)
Athassel Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1192 (c.1200) by William de Burgo, confirmed by King John 1205; erroneously attributed as Trinitarian; held in commandam by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel; dissolved 1541; leased to Dermot Ryan; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1557; (NM)	Priory of St Edmund, King and Martyr ____________________ Ath-an-tuisil; Ath-iseal; Ath-aysill; Hachassel; Hassel
Cahir Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1200–1220 (during the reign of King John) by Galfrid de Camville; dissolved 1540; church parochial and conventual buildings occupied by Sir Thomas Butler by January 1541; priory alienated by William Hutchinson and Edward Walshe 1561; granted to Sir Edmond Butler 1566	St Mary ____________________ Caher; Cathair-duine-iascaid; Cahir-Dunesk; Cayrdunheach; Chaier
Carrick on Suir Priory		Franciscan nuns founded 1385?; dissolved 1542? house purportedly built on site, before 1603 (during the reign of Elizabeth I) by Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond as principal residence for the earls of Ormond	Carrick-magriffin Carrig-magriffin; Roche Swiry
Carrick on Suir Hospital Priory		Order of St Thomas of Acon founded c.1236 by William de Cantelo, with the consent of his wife Dionisia, confirmed by John de Norragh c.1250; dependent on Acon, London; dwellings leased to James White 1530; leased to Peter Butler, Earl of Ossory 1534 (Earl of Ormond from 1537); dissolved 1536?; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond	Hospital of St John the Evangelist
Carrick on Suir — Mount St Nicholas Monastery
Carrick on Suir Hospitallers		Knights Hospitaller, frankhouse under the Hospital of Any, recorded 1541
Cashel Monastery		early monastic site, foundation unknown; diocesan cathedral built 1101 or 1111 rebuilt 1169-72 by Domnall Mór O'Brien; rebuilt after c.1224	Caiseal; Caissel-narig
Cashel Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Ratisbon; founded before 1134 at the instance of Dirmicius, Abbot of Ratisbon; St Cormac's probably the monks' chapel; expelled 1269-72 by David Mac Carwill, Archbishop of Cashel	St James
Cashel Dominican Friary		Dominican Friars founded 1243 by David O'Kelly, a Dominican friar of Cork; burned accidentally; rebuilt and co-founded by John Cantwell 1480; partly leased by Prior Edward Brown 1535-6; dissolved 1540; surrendered by Prior Edward Brown 8 April 1540; leased to Peter Kelly and Walter Fleming; granted to Walter Fleming 1543-4; receiver Walter Houthe 1548; (NM)	St Dominic
Cashel Franciscan Friary #		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual; founded c.1265 (during the reign of Henry III) by Lord William Hacket; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1538; rented to Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, December 1538; dissolved 1540; surrendered by Diermit, guardian, 7 April 1540; friars apparently permitted to remain; abandoned due to religious persecution c.1550, a new house being provided for them 1618 (see immediately below); site now occupied by St John the Baptist R.C. parish church	'Hackett's Abbey'
Cashel Franciscan Friary, later site		Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1618
Cashel Hospitallers		Knights Hospitaller frankhouse under the Hospital of Any, recorded 1541
Cluain-conbruin Monastery ~≈?		early monastic site, founded by St Abban	possibly Rathcoun (infra)
Clonfinglass Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Abban	Cluain-finndglaisse	(?)
Clonmel Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1269 by Otho de Grandison or the Geraldine family (the earls of Desmond), or by the townsmen of Clonmel; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1536; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Robert Travers, guardian, 8 March 1540; granted to the town 1541-2; later granted to James, Earl of Ormond reopened in 1827 on the original site
Clonmel White Friary		Carmelite Friars foundation unknown; dissolved c.1541, surrendered by the prior by April 1541; church found to be in parochial use; refounded by c.1737
Clonmel Black Friary		Dominican Friars probably founded shortly before 1641; probably dissolved at the Cromwellian persecution; friars made an unsuccessful bid to return after the Restoration
Clonoulty Preceptory		Knights Templar founded before 1200?, founder unknown; dissolved 1308-11; Knights Hospitaller	Clon-al; Clon-aul; Clonnell	(approx?)
Colethe Grange ~		Cistercian monks grange of Holycross, granted by Donal O'Brien	Cealuatair; Colethr; Cul-etu
Coninga Monastery ~≈?		early monastic site, founded by St Declan of Ardmore for some of his disciples; possibly located in County Tipperary	possibly Ardfinnan (supra)
Corbally Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — from Monaincha founded c.1485?; dissolved before 1585; granted to Sir Lucas Dillon 1585-6	SS Mary and Hilary Holy Cross (from c.1485) St Mary (from 1486-7) ____________________ Corbhaile; Monaincha
Daire-mor Monastery		early monastic site, founded by mid 7th century	Doire-mor
Derrynavlan Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 800	Daire-edhnigh; Daire-eithne
Donaghmore Monastery		early monastic site, founded 6th century (during the time of St Colmcille and Ita) by Farannan, bishop	Domnach-mor-maige-femen	(approx)
Donaghmore Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded by St Erc of Donaghmore, County Kildare	Killerk
Dromineer Monastery ø		purported intended foundation of monks, order unknown, which was never implemented; 12th century ruins
St. Aibhe's Monastery, Emly #	150px	early monastic site, founded 5th/6th century by St Ailbe; diocesan cathedral 1111 see united to Cashel 1562; secular college founded after 1505 and before 1542 by Bishop Thomas Hurley (dissolved c.1562); site currently occupied by St Ailbe's C.I. parish church	Imlech-Ibhair; Imblech-iobhair
Fethard Priory		Augustinian Friars founded 1306, site granted by Walter Mulcote; dissolved 1540; granted to Edmund Butler, Baron of Dunboyne 16 January 1544; ruins regained c.1820 new Augustinian house established in Fethard; nave restored for parochial use 19th century	Holy Trinity ____________________ Fiodh-ard; Fetherd; Fiard; Fyddert
Fethard Friary ø		listed in 1573 as Dominican Friars; — evidence lacking
Galbally Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1471 by O'Brien; plundered 1472; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed c.1536?; officially suppressed 1540; granted to John, brother of the Earl of Desmond 1543-4, friars permitted to remain; dissolved 1570; (NM)	Gallbhaile-eatharlach; Mowre; Moor Abbey
Glenkeen Monastery ≈?		early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick (if Glenshaoin) or St Culan (if in the valley of Glean-chaoin)	Glean-chaoin; Glenn-chaoin	(approx?)
Holy Cross Abbey +		early monastic site, purportedly hermit monks in the woods; Benedictine monks? possibly founded 1169? by Donal (Mor) O'Brien, King of Limerick; Cistercian monks — from Monasteranenagh founded 1180 by ; subject to Furness 1249; subject to Monasteranenagh 1278; subject to Mellifont 1289; erroneously given as Tironensian; dissolved 1540; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond during the reign of Queen Mary, confirmed after 1558 by Elizabeth I; granted to Gerald, Earl of Ormond, 1563; monks permitted to remain in the abbey or the vicinity; in use as secular college 1540, probably until accession of Queen Mary 1553; became ruinous; restored for worship 1971-75; (NM)	Holycross; Monaster-na-croiche-naoimhe; Sancta Crux; Oterlaun; Wochturlawyn;
Hore Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Mellifont refounded 1272 by David Mac Carwill, Archbishop of Cashel; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Abbot Patrick Stackbold; leased to Sir Henry Radcliffe 1561
Ibracense Monastery ~		order unknown, founded 1127 or soon after by St Malachy for brethren from Ulster; possibly located in County Tipperary
Inishlounaght Abbey		early monastic site, founded before 656 by St Pulcherius; Cistercian monks — probably from Mellifont founded 1147-8 (before May 1148); dependent on Monateranenagh from 1151; dissolved 1540; granted to Cormac M'Teigh M'Carthy	Inis-leamhnachta; Inis-lannaught; Suir; de Surio
Inishlounaght Nunnery		Cistercian? nuns purported house adjoining the Cistercian monks' abbey (see immediately above); foundation and status unknown; dissolved 1228 by Stephen of Lexington
Kilbarron Monastery		"ruins", traditionally monastic — evidence lacking
Kilcash Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Colman ua hEirc?	Cell-caisi
Kilclispeen Monastery		early monastic site; decorated high crosses remain	Cell-clispin; Kilklispeen
Kilcommon Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Glastonbury, Somerset; founded c.1200 by Philip of Worcester; dissolved c.1332?, probably abandoned following Glastonbury's loss of property in Ireland	SS Philip, James and Armin (Cumin) ____________________ Kil-comin; Kil-cumin
Kilcooly Abbey		possibly Benedictine monks founded c.1182, site granted to the coarb of Mag Airb by Donal Mor O'Brien; Cistercian monks — from Jerpoint (re?)founded 1184, confirmed by Henry III; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Abbot Thomas Shortall 8 April 1540; church was found to be in parochial use 11 January 1541; occupier James, Earl of Ormond; (NM)	St Mary the Virgin and St Benedict; St Mary (confirmation of Henry III) ____________________ Albicamp; de Arvi Campo; Arvicampus Kil-cuile; Kil-coul; Kyllecouill
Kilkeary Monastery		early monastic site, nuns, founded before 679; mistaken for Kilcrea, County Cork	Cell-cere
Killalie Friary ≈	Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — actually Killeenagalive, infra
Killeennagallive Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded before 1461; dissolved 1543, possibly abandoned during persecution; Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded after 1543; dissolved during the reign of Elizabeth I?	Killin-ndeallubh; Killin-enallagh; Killin-nandealbh; Killalowe; Kyllalie; Templebredon	(approx)
Kilmore Monastery		early monastic site	Cell-mor-aradtire
Lady's Abbey		Carmelite nuns founded after 1314?; dissolved c.1541?	Mainister-Mhuire; Ardfinnan
Latteragh Monastery		early monastic site	Leatharach; Leitrioch-odrain; Leitreach-odrain; Lettir-odrain; Lattracha
Leamakevoge Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Mochemoc (Pulcherius); also erroneously given as County Offaly, by confusion with Manchán of Lemanaghan	Liath-mochoemocc; Liath-mor; Leighmore; Lethmor; Liethmor	?
Lemdruim Monastery ~		early monastic site; also given as Lorum, County Carlow
Lorrha Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 558 by St Brendan; refounded before 584 by St Ruadhan; burned by the Norsemen 845; church built on site c.1000, ruins remain
Lorrha Priory #		Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1140?, on the site of the earlier monastery (see immediately above), apparently built to the north of the earlier monastic church; burned 1157 and 1179; tranferred [sic] to new site, adjacent (see immediately below); church in parochial use; became ruinous; 19th-century C.I. parish church built adjacent	St Rogan / St Ruadan ____________________ Lothea; Loghera; Lorrah; Lurchoe; de Fontis Vivi de Lochra; Lothor
Lorrha Priory of St Ruadán		Augustinian Canons Regular founded at earlier site (see immediately above) c.1140, dissolved c.1578?; lease granted to John Hogan, former prior, 2 June 1552, who possibly allowed the Canons to remain; Augustinian Friars founded c.1643
Lorrha Friary		Dominican Friars founded 1269 by Walter de Burgo, Earl of Ulster; dissolved 1552; lease granted to John Hogan, former prior of the Augustinian Priory, 2 June 1552 erroneously shown as "Franciscan Abbey (in ruins)" on Ordnance Survey[1]	St Peter, Martyr
Lorrha Abbey		suggested Benedictine monks founded by St Deicola? (Deicolus?)
Molough Priory		early monastic site, nuns, abbey? founded late 5th century; Augustinian nuns priory, founded 14th century? by the Butler family; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Prioress Joan Powere, 11 April 1540; granted to Robert Butler c.1540; church found to be in parochial use 1541; leased to Sir Henry Ratcliff 1576	St Brigid ____________________ Molaca-Brigde; Mainistir-Brigde; Mag-lacha; Moillagh; Mollaghe; Moylagh
Monaincha Priory		early monastic site, Culdees hermits founded 6th century; existing in the time of St Cainnech of Aghaboe; Culdees moved to the chapel of St Colum on the arrival of the Augustinians; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1140; dissolved c.1485?, transferred to Corbally; Augustinian Friars	St Hilary; St Mary (from c.1400?) Holy Cross (from 18 April 1485) ____________________ Mona Incha; Inis-locha-cré; Inis-na-mBeo; Loch-cré; Inchinemeo; Cree-stagnum; Inchanames; Kilbar [sic.]
Nenagh Friary	150px	Franciscan Friars founded 13th century (during the reign of Henry III) by a Kennedy (possibly L. O'Kennedy) or a Butler dissolved before 1587; granted on lease to Robert Collum (Collam) 1587	Aonagh-urmumam; Oinach-urmumam; Enagh; Lenaenach; Venath
Nenagh — Tyone Priory Hospital	150px	Fratres Cruciferi under Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1200 by Theobald Walter, Pincerna of Ireland; burned by O'Kennedy 1342 became secular 1541-2, dependent on St John's, Dublin; dissolved 1551; granted to Oliver Grace 1563	St John the Baptist ____________________ Tyone Priory
Rathcoun Monastery		"Site of monastery", supposed friary
Rathronan Camera		Knights Templar founded 13th century; dissolved 1308; Knights Hospitaller		?
Roscrea Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded before 1477; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed c.1490; dissolved c.1579, destroyed by the Protestants, friars fled; granted to the Earl of Thomond c.1568, assigned to William Crow	Ros-cré; Ruiscre
Roscrea Monastery		founded 7th century by St Cronan; Augustinian Canons founded c.1140, canons possibly introduced by St Malachy 1140-8; diocesan cathedral 1152; became parochial apparently c.1195 when diocese united to Killaloe
St Peakaun Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded before the time of Becan; (re?)founded by St Abban	Cluain-ard-mobecoc; Kilpeacon; Pekaun
Senros Monastery		early monastic site	Sean Ros nr Monaincha
Shanrahan Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded before c.637 by St Cataldus	Sean-raithin
Templemore Abbey		Knights Templar, stationed here, purportedly occupying the castle
Terryglass Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 549 by St Colum "Mac Cremthainn"; burned 1112 and 1164	Tir-da-glas; Tir
Thurles Friary		Carmelite Friars founded c.1291-1300 by the Butler family; dissolved 1540, when already ruinous; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1557, friars remaining in the vicinity; listed as a restored convent existing c.1737
Thurles Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars probable post-medieval establishment
Thurles Preceptory		purported Knights Templar, who occupied the castle, with another fortress ascribed to them traditionally Knights Hospitaller
Tipperary Friary		Augustinian Friars founded c.1300?, possibly by Stephen Butler; dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Donough O'Cuyrke (O'Quirk) 7 April 1539, by which time ruinous; granted to Dermot Ryan of Tipperary 1541	Tiobrain-arann; Tioprat-arann; Tipra-arann; Tiperary
Toomyvara Priory		early monastic site, purportedly founded 6th or 7th/8th century by St Donan 407; Augustinian Canons Regular priory cell, dependent on Monaincha; founded 1140; dissolved before 1585; granted to Milned Magrath, Archbishop of Cashel, 30 December 1585	St Donan; St Mary ____________________ Tuaim-ui-mheadhra; Thomedonyn; Tamdonayn; Theym; Toem; Toome
Tullamain Monastery		early monastic site; plundered 1026

Glossary

Orders: Augustinian Augustinian Canons Regular / Austin Canons / Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) - Arrouasian / (Arroasian) - Victorine - Holy Sepulchre Austin Friars (Augustinian Friars) Augustinian Recollects Benedictine / Order of St Benedict (O.S.B.) Bonshommes Bridgettine / Briggittine Carmelites Carmelites (White Friars) Carthusians Cistercian Cluniac Crutched Friars / (Crouched Friars / Crossed Friars / Fratres Cruciferi / Brethren of the Holy Cross) Culdee Dominican (Black Friars) / Ordinis Praedicatorum (Order of Preachers) (O.P.) / Friars Preachers Franciscan (Grey Friars) Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (The Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) / Ordo Fratrum Minorum) Capuchin (Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) Franciscan Observants Franciscan, Third Order Regular Franciscan Recollects Minoresses (Poor Clares) Friars of the Order of Blessed Mary (Friars of St Mary / Fratres Beatae Mariae) Friars of Penitence of Jesus Christ (Friars of the Sack) Gilbertine Grandmontine Military Orders Knights Hospitaller / Hospitallers / Order of Hospitallers / Knights of Saint John / Order of Saint John Order of the Holy Sepulchre Knights Templar / Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon / Order of the Temple / Templars Order of Saint Lazarus

St. Lazarus Hospitallers Premonstratensian Savignac Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Sisters of St John of Jerusalem Tironensian Trappist Trinitarian (Maturines) Valliscaulian General terms: Abbots / Abbesses / Abbey Alien House Anchorites Camera (pl. Cameræ) Canons Canons Regular cell Commandery Double monastery Friars / Friary Friars Eremites / anchorites Hermits Mendicants Monks Nuns / Nunnery Preceptor / Preceptory Priors / Prioresses / Priory Secular canons

Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

Click on a county to go to the corresponding article

2

See also

• List of monastic houses in Ireland