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Athassel Priory

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(Redirected from Athassel Abbey) Largest medieval priory in Ireland

Athassel Priory
Monastery information
OrderAugustinian Canons Regular
Established12th century
Disestablished1537
Architecture
StatusPriory
Functional statusRuins
StyleGothic
Groundbreakingc. 1200
Site
LocationGolden, County Tipperary
CountryIreland
National monument of Ireland
Official nameAthassel Abbey
Reference no.120

Athassel Priory is the largest medieval priory in Ireland, stretching over a 4-acre (1.6 ha) site. The priory dates back to the late 12th century when it was founded by the Augustinians under the patronage of William de Burgh (founder of Ireland's Burke Dynasty). William's grandson Hubert de Burgh, (or Burgo) later the Bishop of Limerick, was prior at Athassel c. 1221. The original buildings were altered and renovated over the next 300 years. The priory was burnt twice, once in 1329 by Brian King of Thomond and again in 1581 by John Fitzgerald of Desmond. A large town had grown up around the priory but was destroyed during the two raids. The priory was finally dissolved in 1537 and the lands given to Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond, who neglected the abbey, and it subsequently fell into ruin.

Architecture

The priory is accessed by a bridge and gate-lodge. Here the visitor can begin to note patterns that will be discerned throughout the site. The reconstruction and modification of the buildings is evident, often involving their "downsizing" to meet the needs of a smaller community. Nothing remains of the town that once surrounded the priory. The main aisle of the priory was used in recent centuries as a burial ground. The now blocked-up rood screen can be seen over the doorway in the centre. The walls are full of put-log holes, now ideal nest sites for dozens of jackdaws. These holes were used in construction to affix scaffolding-timbers.

Extensive remains of monastics quarters are located to the south of the priory. The buildings are mostly made of limestone and rubble.

Burials

See also

References

  1. De Breffny, Brian (1983). Ireland: A Cultural Encyclopedia. London: Thames and Hudson. p. 38.
  2. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Ireland. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. 2016. p. 2020. ISBN 9780241295243. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. De Breffny, Brian (1983). Ireland: A Cultural Encyclopedia. London: Thames and Hudson. p. 38.
  4. "ArcGIS Web Application". maps.archaeology.ie. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  • Leask, Irish Churches & Monastic Buildings, Vol.2
  • McCraith, Athassel Priory and its Patrons, The New Ireland Review, 1910
  • Athassel Abbey, The Commissioners of Public Works

External links

52°28′46″N 7°59′01″W / 52.47944°N 7.98361°W / 52.47944; -7.98361


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