Muckross Abbey

Major ecclesiastical site in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland

Muckross Abbey
Monastery information
Established	1448
Site
Location	Killarney National Park, County Kerry
Country	Ireland

Muckross Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Locha Léin and Mainistir Mhucrois) is one of the major ecclesiastical sites, found in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland. It was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor.^[1]

It has had a violent history and has been damaged and reconstructed many times. The friars were often subjected to raids by marauding groups and were persecuted by Cromwellian forces under Lord Ludlow.^[2] Today the abbey is largely roofless but is otherwise generally quite well-preserved. Its most striking feature is a central courtyard, which contains a large yew tree and is surrounded by a vaulted cloister.^[3]

In the 17th and 18th centuries, it became the burial place for prominent County Kerry poets O'Donoghue, Ó Rathaille and Ó Súilleabháin, while Piaras Feiritéar is buried in the graveyard just outside.^[4]

Gallery

The Friary
Abbey and graveyard seen from the west
Courtyard with cloister and yew tree.
Refectory

References

^ "Killarney National Park". 23 March 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
^ "Dan the Feathers - Killarney Ireland". www.vacationkillarney.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
^ Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Volume 2. 1892.
^ "Sightseeing - Visitor Attractions in Killarney". killarney-insight.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.