Creevelea Abbey
Mainistir na Craoibhe Léithe
Creevelea Abbey is located in Ireland
Creevelea Abbey
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesCreevlea Abbey, Creebelea Abbey, Craobhliath, Crowlekale, Crueleach, Carrag Patrice, Petra Patricii, Druim-da-ethair, Baile-ui-ruairc, Ballegruaircy, Cuivelleagh, Killanummery.[1]
OrderThird Order of Saint Francis (Order of Penance)
Established1508
Disestablished1837
DioceseKilmore
People
Founder(s)Eóghan Ó Ruairc
Architecture
StatusInactive
Site
LocationCreevelea, Dromahair, County Leitrim
Coordinates54°13′53″N 8°18′35″W / 54.231291°N 8.309791°W / 54.231291; -8.309791
Visible remainschurch walls, one or two unstable stairs, the perimeter structure.
Public accessyes, as a burial site
Official nameCreevelea Abbey
Reference no.69[2]

Creevelea Abbey is a medieval Franciscan friary and National Monument located in Dromahair, County Leitrim, Ireland.[3] Creeveley Abbey is now in use for as a grave yard.

Location

Creevelea Abbey is located west of Dromahair, on the west bank of the Bonet River.[4][5]

History

Creevelea Friary was founded in 1508 by Eóghan O'Rourke, Lord of West Bréifne, and his wife Margaret O'Brian, daughter of a King of Thomond. The friary was accidentally burned in 1536 and was rebuilt by Brian Ballach O'Rourke. In 1590 Richard Bingham stabled his horses at Creevelea during his pursuit of Brian O'Rourke, who had sheltered survivors of the Spanish Armada. Dissolved c. 1598.

Sir Tadhg O'Rourke (d. 1605), last King of West Bréifne and Thaddeus Francis O'Rourke (d. 1735), Bishop of Killala are buried here. Another house was built for the friars in 1618 and Creevelea was reoccupied by friars in 1642. The Franciscans were driven out by the Cromwellian Army in the 1650s.[6][7] After the Restoration, the abbey remained in use until 1837.

Buildings

The remains consist of the church (nave, chancel, transept and choir), chapter house, cloister and domestic buildings. The bell-tower was converted to living quarters in the 17th century. At one point in its history the church was covered with a thatched roof. Carved in the cloister is an image of Saint Francis of Assisi preaching to birds.[8][9]

Archaeological Preservation

The site is preserved as a national monument.[10]

References and Notes

Notes

    Citations

    1. Sunflower Guides 2004, pp. 10.
    2. "National Monuments of County Leitrim in State Care" (PDF). heritageireland.ie. National Monument Service. p. 1. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
    3. TripAdvisor.
    4. Brewer 2008, pp. 365.
    5. Day 2006, pp. 334.
    6. megalithicireland.
    7. Higgins.
    8. The Sligo Town Website.
    9. Manorhamilton.ie 2012.
    10. National Monuments Service 2009, pp. 1.

    Primary sources

    Secondary sources

    • National Monuments Service (2009). Leitrim (PDF) (Report). Vol. National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship. Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
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