Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway

Abbeyknockmoy (M506436) has a pointed west doorway which is surmounted by a single-light window with ogee head. The church had north and south aisles. Each aisle had four bays with broad dividers. Only the two most westerly arches are unblocked on each side. The cloister garth is to the south of the church but none of the cloister is in place. Fragments stored within the ruins show that the cloister arcade had dumbbell-shaped pillars.

The Chancel And Choir From The West

There is a good east range of buildings with fragmentary west and south ranges. The cruciform church has two east chapels in each of the transepts. There are three short lancet windows in the east wall of the chancel and these are surmounted by a single pointed lancet. There is good vaulting over the chancel. It is inaccessible at present but the wall paintings for which the abbey is famous are visible through the gate. There is a tomb niche in the north wall of the chancel. It has a large mask on the central finial and two small masks at the base of the outer finials.

The Nave From The East

The chapter house had a good moulded doorway but only the lower courses remain. It was originally a large vaulted room lit by five narrow decorated lancets. An inserted wall divided the southern third of the room from the rest and encroached on one of the lancets in the process. The rest of the room was divided by a three-bay arcade which encroached on another of the lancets.

View Across The Cloister Garth From The South East

The abbey was founded in 1190 by Cathal Crobderg O Conor, King of Connacht and colonised by monks from Boyle. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. In 1542 the abbey was surrendered by the abbot Hugh O Kelly when he acknowledged the king’s supremacy. Some of the property was granted to Nicholas FitzSymons in 1568. In 1584 the possessions of the abbey included 1260 acres, seven rectories and the island of Clare.