The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Athenry, also called Athenry Priory, is a medieval Dominican priory and National Monument located in Athenry, Ireland.[1][2][3][4]
Prióireacht Peadar agus Pól, Baile Átha an Rí | |
 East window | |
  Location within Ireland | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ath-na-riogh; Ath-na-rig; Anry |
| Order | Dominican Order |
| Established | 1241 |
| Disestablished | 1574; 1698 |
| Diocese | Tuam |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Meyler de Bermingham |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Late Gothic |
| Site | |
| Location | Abbey Row, Athenry, County Galway |
| Coordinates | 53°17′54″N 8°44′40″W / 53.298236°N 8.744544°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Athenry Abbey |
| Reference no. | 164 |
Location edit
Athenry Abbey is located in the eastern part of Athenry, east of the Clarinbridge River.[5][6]
History edit
Meyler de Bermingham was the founder in 1241.[7] Other local notables funded it: Feidlim Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht built the refectory; Owen Ó hEidhin (King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne) built the dormitory and Conchobar Ó Cellaigh of Uí Maine the chapter house. The priory initially stood on the edge of the town walls, but was later enveloped by them.
A provincial chapter was held at Athenry in 1242. Flann Mac Flainn, Archbishop of Tuam, built a house for scholars in the 1250s. Founder Meyler was buried in the priory in 1252. His son William de Bermingham was Archbishop of Tuam; he had a dispute with the monastery in 1297 but was buried there in 1312.[citation needed]
The refectory (now destroyed) was built around 1265, with the chapel completed before 1340.[citation needed]
In 1324, William Liath de Burgh left money to enlarge the church and priory, a task completed by 1345. Joanna de Ruffur died in 1408 and left money to construct a new east window and windows in the choir.[citation needed]
Athenry Priory was burned in 1423; indulgences were granted by Pope Martin V and Pope Eugene IV to those who contributed to its repair. 1451, the friars built a chapel on land north of the river at Carrowardahrah, granted by Ulick Ruadh Burke.[citation needed]
The monastery was dissolved in 1574.[citation needed]
Athenry Abbey was burned during the uprising of William mac an Iarla Burke in the 1570s. Regular Observant Friars reoccupied it 1595–7.[citation needed]
In the 1640s the historian James Ware acquired the Register of the priory.[citation needed]
Athenry was re-revived as a university in 1644, before being shut down by Cromwellians in 1652. The friars last occupied Athenry priory between 1685 and 1698.[citation needed]
In the 18th century the priory was used as a military barracks. The last de Bermingham to be buried at Athenry was Lady Mathilda Bermingham (d. 1788).[8] The tower collapsed around 1790. Lady Mathilda's tomb, a Coade stone monument, was broken into in 2002, perhaps by thieves.[9]
Clerics Associated with Athenry Abbey edit
- Dominic de Burgo (Dominic Burke) OP, Bishop of Elphin, professed in Athenry in 1648
- Dominic Burke OP, returned to Athenry as Prior in 1642
- Edmund Bourke OP, priest and academic, processed in Athenry in 1683
- Thomas Burke OP, served as prior in San Sisto Rome, before serving as Prior in Athenry (1687-1698)
- William Burke OP, provincial of the order, served as Prior of Athenry
- Gerald Davok, STM OP, prior of Athenry 1663
Buildings edit
The remains consist of nave, chancel and a northern aisle and transept, and tombs from the 13th–15th centuries.
The tall lancet windows in the chancel are probably 13th century while the remainder is 14th century.[10][11]
-
The abbey in winter -
Sunset over the abbey church -
Another view
References edit
- ^ "Athenry Abbey". dúchas.ie.
- ^ Blake, Martin Joseph. "Athenry Abbey" – via Google Books.
- ^ Playfair, James (17 April 2018). "A System of Geography: Ancient and Modern". P. Hill – via Google Books.
- ^ Carlisle, Nicholas (17 April 2018). "4A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland ... Being a Continuation of the Topography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". Miller – via Google Books.
- ^ Walsh, Thom (17 April 2018). "History of the Irish Hierarchy: With the Monasteries of Each County, Biographical Notices of the Irish Saints, Prelates, and Religious". Sadlier – via Google Books.
- ^ O'Heyne, Rev John (1902). The Irish Dominicans of the Seventeenth Century. W. Tempest – via Internet Archive.
Athenry Abbey.
- ^ "1241 - Athenry Abbey, Co. Galway - Architecture of Galway - Archiseek - Irish Architecture". 9 November 2012.
- ^ "Vandalism of 18th-century tomb investigated".
- ^ "Athenry Dominican Priory - Monastic Ireland". monastic.ie.
- ^ "Dominican Priory History". www.athenryheritagecentre.com.
- ^ "The Dominican Priory in Athenry - Historic Graves Blog". historicgraves.com.