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Abbeyknockmoy (Irish: Mainistir Chnoc Muaidhe, meaning "Abbey of Muaidh's Hill") is a village and parish in County Galway. It is most well known for the nearby ruins of the 12th century Cistercian abbey, established with the Kings of Connacht as its benefactors. The abbey was the burial site of King Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair and contains fine examples of medieval wall paintings and sculpture. It was formerly part of the kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht.
Abbeyknockmoy was originally a Cistercian abbey founded in 1190 by the King of Connacht, Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, in fulfilment of a vow made prior to a victory gained by Cathal against the English forces under Almeric de St. Lawrence. Cathal died a Cistercian monk and was buried there in 1224. The new abbey was occupied by Cistercian monks from Boyle Abbey. Substantial parts of the abbey remain, showing close links with other abbeys in the west of Ireland.
The abbey was decorated by medieval wall paintings, traces of which survive in the presbytery: they depict Saint Sebastian, the Crucifixion, the Trinity and the three living and three dead. One of the surviving fragments also depicts a hunting scene, indicating that hunting was popular in medieval Ireland. Additionally, the group of sculptors at Abbeyknockmoy can be identified as the same sculptors at work in Boyle Abbey. There is a capital that includes a fine example of a sculptured head: according to Roger Stalley, "there is a fine royal head on one of the nave piers. The nose and chin are smashed, but the carefully defined eyes, elaborate crown and long curly hair are still intact". He also suggests that the carved head actually represents Ua Conchobair, and "was perhaps a tribute to his benefactions".
The monastery was plundered by William de Burgo in 1200. In 1483, the abbot was accused of setting fire to the abbey.
More about Monastic Sites in Ireland you will find HERE.
Admission
Free
Useful links
cistercians.shef.ac.uk
www.monasette.com
irishantiquities.bravehost.com
www.tuam-guide.com
en.wikipedia.org
Attractions nearby
Annaghdown Augustinian / Arrosian Abbey within 22.2 km
Annaghdown Castle Ruins within 22.2 km
Annaghdown Cathedral Ruins within 22.1 km
Athenry Castle within 15.4 km
Athenry Dominican Friary / Priory of St. Peter and St. Paul within 15.8 km
Ballindooley / Ballindooly Castle within 23.5 km
Carraigin / Cargin Castle within 26.9 km
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roman Catholic, Tuam within 10.7 km
Claregalway Friary, Franciscan within 16.4 km
Dunmore Augustinian Friary Abbey within 20.2 km
Feartagar / Fartagar Castle Ruins within 19.4 km
Galway Cathedral, Roman Catholic within 27.4 km
Kilcolgan Castle within 27 km
Kilconnell Franciscan Friary within 26 km
Lavallyconnor Castle Ruins within 27.1 km
Loughrea Carmelite Abbey of St. Mary within 29.1 km
Menlo / Menlough / Mionloch Castle Ruins within 26.7 km
Moyode Castle within 20.4 km
Old Castle Hackett Ruins within 15.6 km
Oranmore Castle within 22.6 km
Ross / Headford / Errilly Abbey, Franciscan within 25.7 km
Shrule Castle Ruins within 24 km
Shrule Franciscan Abbey Friary within 24.4 km
St. Mary's Cathedral, Church of Ireland, Tuam within 10.9 km
Turin Castle within 26.7 km
Tyrone House Ruins within 27.9 km
Woodlawn House Ruins within 21.4 km
Hostels
Barnacles Quay Street House Hostel within 27.6 km
Claddagh Hostel, Galway within 27.2 km
Salmon Weir Hostel, Galway within 27.1 km
Sleepzone Galway Hostel within 26.9 km
Woodquay Hostel, Galway within 27.1 km
