Knockmoy Abbey
West Ireland | County Galway
Knockmoy is a ruin of the Cistercian abbey located about 13km southeast of Tuam in County Galway. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was founded in 1190 by Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor, King of Connacht. Shortly before his death, he entered a convent and was buried in the abbey in 1244. The church has a nave, chancel, and a transept with two chapels. The rib-vaulted chancel has artfully carved stonework with fine capitals and east windows. The north wall of the chancel has a unique Irish medieval painting commissioned probably by Malachie O'Nollan and Conaire O'Eddichan around 1400. The painting depicts an angel with scales, Christ with a raised hand, the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, and a scene from a medieval legend of the Three Dead Kings and the Three Live Kings. In the 15th century, the central tower was added to the church which is now partially collapsed. There are also remains of a 15th-century cloister and well preserved east wing of the domestic building. Knockmoy Abbey was plundered twice, first in 1200 and then in 1228. After Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries abbey passed into private hands, and from 1662 to the relatively recent times belonged to the Blake family. Today Knockmoyle Abbey is under the care of the OPW and is open to the public.
- OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS :
- Freely accessible
- COORDINATES :
- 53.44323
- -8.74327
- CAR PARK :
- Roadside
Photos from Knockmoy Abbey
