Abbeyderg Abbey

History of Abbeyderg Abbey

The Augustinian Priory of Abbeyderg Monastery was likely founded by Gormgall O’Quinn, Lord of Rathcline, Chief of Muintir Ghiollagáin. Known as Mainisterderg or Dearg, it was dedicated to St Peter. It was raised to abbey status after 1487. 

The Abbey remained in existence until 1540, when it, along with four other monasteries in the Annaly region, was surrendered to Henry VIII and dissolved. The lands and buildings were granted to the English soldier, Nicholas Alymore, at the time.

In 1548, it was occupied by John O’Ferral, previously abbot, by the assignment of Sir Thomas Cusak

In later years, Shane O’Ferald (Ferrall) was granted a 21-year lease of the ‘site of the monastery monasterderge’. It was then largely destroyed in 1567, after the granting of a 21-year lease to Thomas Byram. The Abbey Church however, remained almost intact.

It is surrounded by a graveyard with the majority of the headstones dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The remains of Maiolin O’Mulgonry, who has been described as Chief Ollamh and poet of Ireland, are buried here.