Established 5th century Status ruined | Disestablished 14th century? | |
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Other names Cloghvanaha, Clogvanaha Heritage designation DesignationsNational Monument of IrelandOfficial nameShrule AbbeyReference no.95 | ||
Shrule Abbey is a former monastery and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.
Contents
Location
Shrule Abbey is located to the southwest of Shrule village, north of the Black River and south of St. Colman's Church.
History
According to tradition, Christianity was brought to Shrule by Saint Patrick himself in the 5th century AD. He founded a church at Donaghpatrick and left a disciple, Felartus, in charge. The ancient abbey of Cloghvanaha (Irish for "blessed stone") is believed to have grown from this site.
Shrule was formerly under the jurisdiction of Cong Abbey, then in 1152 it was placed under Annaghdown Abbey. The abbey was replaced by St. Colman's Church (Teampall Cholmain) c. 1200 as the main place of worship in Shrule. Clogvanaha is mentioned in the ecclesiastical taxation of 1306.
Building
Little remains of this ancient abbey: only a rectangular mound (11 × 13.4 m; 12 × 14.7 yd) with masonry rubble visible in places.