# List of monastic houses in County Kerry

The smaller establishments such as monastic cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptory/commandery.

## Layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

## Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus: :
| * | current monastic function |
| + | current non-monastic ecclesiastic function |
| ^ | current non-ecclesiastic function |
| = | remains incorporated into later structure |
| # | no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains |
| ~ | exact site of monastic foundation unknown |
| ø | possibly no such monastic foundation at location |
| ¤ | no such monastic foundation |
| ≈ | identification ambiguous or confused |
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).
Trusteeship denoted as follows: :
| NIEA | Scheduled Monument (NI) |
| NM | National Monument (ROI) |
| C.I. | Church of Ireland |
| R.C. | Roman Catholic Church |
Download coordinates as:
* KML
* GPX (all coordinates)
* GPX (primary coordinates)
* GPX (secondary coordinates)
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Abbeydorney Abbey | | Cistercian monks — from Monasteranenagh daughter house of Monasteranenagh; founded 1154 founder unknown - erroneously given as a Fitzmaurice; daughter house of Mellifont; daughter house of Monasteranenagh restored; dissolved 1537 (though last abbot active until 1577) site now in use as a graveyard | Odorney; Kyrie Eleison; Monaster-O-d'Torna | 52°21′12″N 9°41′15″W﻿ / ﻿52.353413°N 9.687544°W﻿ / 52.353413; -9.687544﻿ (Abbeydorney Abbey) |
| Aghadoe Monastery | | ?Augustinian Canons Regular purportedly founded 7th century by St Finan Lobhar; extant 992; non-monastic church of the Holy Trinity and St Mary built on site 1158; damaged by gales 1282; erenaghs up to 1450 (NM) | Achad-da-eo; Aithedea | 52°04′36″N 9°33′16″W﻿ / ﻿52.076801°N 9.554488°W﻿ / 52.076801; -9.554488﻿ (Aghadoe Monastery) |
| Alltraige-caille Monastery $^~$ | | early monastic site, founded 6th century | | location unknown - possibly nr Tralee |
| Ardfert Friary | | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded c.1253 by Thomas Fitzmaurice Fitzraymond, Lord of Kerry, purportedly buried here; Observant Franciscan Friars refounded 1517; dissolved 1584, friars expelled, some remained in the area;(NM) | Ard-ferta-brenainn; Hertfert; Hyferte; Ifert | 52°19′48″N 9°46′26″W﻿ / ﻿52.330135°N 9.773870°W﻿ / 52.330135; -9.773870﻿ (Ardfert Friary) |
| Ardfert Dominican Friary $^≈$ | Dominican Friars — erroneous reference to the Franciscan Friary (see immediately above) | Dominican Friars — erroneous reference to the Franciscan Friary (see immediately above) | Dominican Friars — erroneous reference to the Franciscan Friary (see immediately above) | Dominican Friars — erroneous reference to the Franciscan Friary (see immediately above) |
| Ardfert Cathedral Monastery | | early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Brendan of Clonfert; episcopal diocesan cathedral founded after 1111, translated from Ratass | | 52°19′44″N 9°46′54″W﻿ / ﻿52.328803°N 9.781668°W﻿ / 52.328803; -9.781668﻿ (Ardfert Cathedral Monastery) |
| Ballinskelligs Priory | | early monastic site founded 11th century?; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian founded c.1210?; dissolved after 1555; granted to John Blake 1585; (NM) | Ballin-skelligs; St Michael de Rupe; St Michael's Mount | 51°48′56″N 10°16′19″W﻿ / ﻿51.815471°N 10.271821°W﻿ / 51.815471; -10.271821﻿ (Ballinskelligs Priory) |
| Bentee Mount Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°56′00″N 10°12′58″W﻿ / ﻿51.933259°N 10.216084°W﻿ / 51.933259; -10.216084﻿ (Bentee Mount Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Brandon Mountain Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites, purportedly founded by St Brendan of Clonfert; possibly continuing after 1111 | | 52°14′55″N 10°12′04″W﻿ / ﻿52.248508°N 10.200977°W﻿ / 52.248508; -10.200977﻿ (Brandon Mount Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Caherbarbagh Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°51′25″N 10°07′46″W﻿ / ﻿51.856987°N 10.129395°W﻿ / 51.856987; -10.129395﻿ (Caherbarbagh Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Carrig Island Monastery, $^ø$ Arghavallen parish | | possible early monastic site, "Abbey (in ruins)" | | 52°34′33″N 9°30′02″W﻿ / ﻿52.575885°N 9.500492°W﻿ / 52.575885; -9.500492﻿ (Carrig Island Monastery) |
| Church Island Monastery, Valentia Harbour Lough Kay | | | Cherich-inis?; Lough Kay | 51°56′15″N 10°17′00″W﻿ / ﻿51.937559°N 10.283338°W﻿ / 51.937559; -10.283338﻿ (Church Island Monastery, Valencia Harbour) |
| Church Island Monastery, Lough Currane | | early monastic site, Anchorites; founded by Finan Cam | Lough Curane | 51°50′05″N 10°07′45″W﻿ / ﻿51.834855°N 10.129166°W﻿ / 51.834855; -10.129166﻿ (Church Island Monastery, Lough Curra) |
| Derrynane Abbey | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 7th century by the monks of St Bairre or by St Finan Cam | Achad-mor; Abbey Island; Darrynane; Ahamore; Aghamore | 51°45′27″N 10°08′34″W﻿ / ﻿51.757501°N 10.142720°W﻿ / 51.757501; -10.142720﻿ (Derrynane Abbey) |
| Dingle Cell | | Augustinian Canons Regular cell, dependent on Killagha — probably not conventual, possibly a vicarage; founded after 1216; dissolved before 1428 | Daingean-ui-chuis; Dingle-i-cuche | |
| Dingle Friary | | Dominican Friars possible vicarage and land owned by the Black Friars | Daingean-ui-chuis; Dingle-i-cuche | |
| Feaghman West Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°54′54″N 10°20′53″W﻿ / ﻿51.915116°N 10.348155°W﻿ / 51.915116; -10.348155﻿ (Feaghman West Monastery) |
| Gallarus Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | Gall-ros | 52°10′22″N 10°20′58″W﻿ / ﻿52.172761°N 10.349443°W﻿ / 52.172761; -10.349443﻿ (Gallarus Monastery (site)) |
| Illaunloughan | | early monastic site, stone oratories | | 51°53′12″N 10°22′24″W﻿ / ﻿51.886589°N 10.373427°W﻿ / 51.886589; -10.373427﻿ (Illaunloughan Monastery) |
| Illauntannig Island Monastery, Maghree Islands | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks; founded 6th century by St Seanach | | 52°19′34″N 10°01′12″W﻿ / ﻿52.3261287°N 10.0199382°W﻿ / 52.3261287; -10.0199382﻿ (Illauntannig Island Monastery) |
| Innisfallen Abbey, Innisfallen Island | | early monastic site, founded 7th century by Faithlann, son of Aedh damhan, King of Iar-muman (or Finan Lobhair, or Finan Camm; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1197?; dissolved 1589? — probably abandoned by 1589; granted to Robert Collam; granted to Valentine Brown; Augustinian Friars (NM) | St Mary ____________________ Inis-faithlen; Inys-fachlyn | 52°02′48″N 9°33′15″W﻿ / ﻿52.046679°N 9.554274°W﻿ / 52.046679; -9.554274﻿ (Innisfallen Abbey) |
| Inishtooskert Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | St Brendan | 52°07′39″N 10°34′48″W﻿ / ﻿52.127454°N 10.580124°W﻿ / 52.127454; -10.580124﻿ (Inishtooskert Monastery) |
| Inishvickillane Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | St Brendan ____________________ Inis-mic-cilleain | 52°02′37″N 10°36′27″W﻿ / ﻿52.043675°N 10.607386°W﻿ / 52.043675; -10.607386﻿ (Inishvickillane Monastery) |
| Keeldarragh Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°52′38″N 10°09′31″W﻿ / ﻿51.877127°N 10.158577°W﻿ / 51.877127; -10.158577﻿ (Keeldarragh Monastery) |
| Kerry Preceptory, $^~$ Tralee? | | Knights Hospitaller founded before 1212; dissolution unknown | | |
| Kilcolman Abbey, Milltown | | early monastic site | Killagh; Killaha | 52°08′59″N 9°43′50″W﻿ / ﻿52.1496916°N 9.7304601°W﻿ / 52.1496916; -9.7304601﻿ (Kilcolman Abbey) |
| Kildreelig Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°47′48″N 10°18′39″W﻿ / ﻿51.796570°N 10.310744°W﻿ / 51.796570; -10.310744﻿ (Kildreelig Monastery) |
| Kildreenagh Monastery in Loher | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°46′55″N 10°09′56″W﻿ / ﻿51.781860°N 10.165615°W﻿ / 51.781860; -10.165615﻿ (Kildreenagh Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Kildrenagh Monastery in Valencia | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°54′27″N 10°22′34″W﻿ / ﻿51.907531°N 10.376244°W﻿ / 51.907531; -10.376244﻿ (Kildrenagh Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Killabuonia Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites founded 6th century by Buonia (Beoanigh) | | 51°50′53″N 10°19′55″W﻿ / ﻿51.848176°N 10.332003°W﻿ / 51.848176; -10.332003﻿ (Killabuonia Priory) |
| Killagha Abbey, Milltown | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by Abban (Alban); probably dissolved for some time prior to the Augustinian foundation; Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1216 by Geoffrey de Marusci (during the reign of King John); dissolved 1576; granted to Thomas Clinton and subsequently to Thomas Spring | St Mary de Bello Loco ____________________ Cell-achaid-conchinn; Kill-agha; Kill-egue; Kilcolman; Killahensis in Munster (under Augustinian Friars) | 52°08′58″N 9°43′49″W﻿ / ﻿52.1494499°N 9.7303922°W﻿ / 52.1494499; -9.7303922﻿ (Killagha Abbey) |
| Killarney Franciscan Friary * | | Franciscan Friars transferred from Gorey 1860; church opened 1867; friary opened 1879; became the Novitiate House of the Irish Province for a time; extant | | |
| Killemlagh Monastery $^~$ | | early monastic site, founded by St Finan the Leper, or chapel by St Finan Cam | | |
| Killiney Monastery | | possible early monastic site; St Saviour's C.I. parish church built on site | | 52°14′56″N 10°02′20″W﻿ / ﻿52.248758°N 10.038972°W﻿ / 52.248758; -10.038972﻿ (Killiney Monastery) |
| Killobarnaun Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | Killavarnaun | 51°57′12″N 10°13′33″W﻿ / ﻿51.953387°N 10.225852°W﻿ / 51.953387; -10.225852﻿ (Killemlagh Monastery) |
| Killoe Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°54′16″N 10°10′17″W﻿ / ﻿51.904460°N 10.171280°W﻿ / 51.904460; -10.171280﻿ (Killoe Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Killogrone Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | | 51°55′07″N 10°10′45″W﻿ / ﻿51.918586°N 10.179173°W﻿ / 51.918586; -10.179173﻿ (Kilogrone Monastery) |
| Kilmalkedar Monastery | | early monastic site, probably continuing after 1111 | Cell-maeilchetair | 52°11′05″N 10°20′11″W﻿ / ﻿52.184767°N 10.336289°W﻿ / 52.184767; -10.336289﻿ (Kilmalkedar Monastery) |
| Kilrellig Monastery, Bolus Head | | | | 51°47′48″N 10°18′39″W﻿ / ﻿51.7965952°N 10.3107476°W﻿ / 51.7965952; -10.3107476﻿ (Kilrellig Monastery) |
| Kilpeacon Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | Kilpeacan | 51°53′44″N 10°13′17″W﻿ / ﻿51.895642°N 10.221276°W﻿ / 51.895642; -10.221276﻿ (Kilpeacon Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Lislaughtin Abbey | | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1470-7 by John O'Connor, Lord of Iraghticonnor, who had requested permission from the Pope in 1477; dissolved 1580, destroyed by the Protestants; rebuilt 1629; granted to James Scrolls; granted to Sir Edward Denny (NM) | Leasa-lauchtin; Lislachtin; Hilleanbegha | 52°33′26″N 9°28′12″W﻿ / ﻿52.557173°N 9.470004°W﻿ / 52.557173; -9.470004﻿ (Lislaughtin Abbey) |
| Lisselton Friary $^≈$ | erroneous reference to Franciscan Friars — mistaken identification of Lislaughtin | erroneous reference to Franciscan Friars — mistaken identification of Lislaughtin | erroneous reference to Franciscan Friars — mistaken identification of Lislaughtin | erroneous reference to Franciscan Friars — mistaken identification of Lislaughtin |
| Muckross Abbey | | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1440-8 by Donal, son of Thady MacCarthy, possibly on the site of an earlier monastery; restored by Donal, son of Thady MacCarthy 1468; dissolved 1586-9, purportedly leased out 1587; granted to Robert Collan 1595; reoccupied 1612; old buildings restored after 1617 | The Holy Trinity ____________________ Carraig-na-chiuil; Irrelagh; Irialach; Monaster-Airbhealaigh; Oirbhealach | 52°01′34″N 9°29′41″W﻿ / ﻿52.026099°N 9.494714°W﻿ / 52.026099; -9.494714﻿ (Muckross Abbey) |
| Oriel Monastery | | early monastic site | Monaster-ni-Oriel; Abbey Oriel | 51°53′59″N 9°28′26″W﻿ / ﻿51.899585°N 9.473948°W﻿ / 51.899585; -9.473948﻿ (Oriel Monastery) |
| Rathmore | | Cistercian monks founded 1861; temporary refuge for monks evicted from Melleray, France | | |
| Ratass Cathedral Monastery | | early monastic site, founded 6th century; probably continuing after 1111; episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 1111, church elevated to cathedral status by the Synod of Rathbreasail; translated to Ardfert before 1117 | Raith-maige-deiscirt; Rathass | 52°16′01″N 9°40′55″W﻿ / ﻿52.267041°N 9.681863°W﻿ / 52.267041; -9.681863﻿ (Ratass Cathedral Monastery) |
| Rattoo Monastery, nr Ballyduff | | early monastic site - founded 6th century by Bishop Lugaid/Lugach | Rath-muighe-tuaiscirt - "fort/rath of the northern plain". | 52°26′33″N 9°38′59″W﻿ / ﻿52.442411°N 9.649852°W﻿ / 52.442411; -9.649852﻿ (Rattoo Monastery) |
| Rattoo Abbey, nr Ballyduff | | possibly Fratres Cruciferi or Knights Hospitaller hospital founded c.1200 by Brother William; ?Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian founded before 1207; dissolved 1542, officially suppressed, convent possibly continued until c.1581; fortified by the Irish, who destroyed it to prevent it falling to the forces of Sir Charles Willmott; (NM) | The Hospital of Saint John the Baptist The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul ____________________ Ballyduff Abbey | br />52°26′35″N 9°38′46″W﻿ / ﻿52.443046°N 9.646198°W﻿ / 52.443046; -9.646198﻿ (Rattoo Abbey) |
| Riasc Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites founded 6th century; probably continuing after 1111 | Reask | 52°10′03″N 10°23′16″W﻿ / ﻿52.167536°N 10.387659°W﻿ / 52.167536; -10.387659﻿ (Riasc Monastery) |
| St Manchan's Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites founded by St Manchan | Teampall Geal | 52°08′38″N 10°21′31″W﻿ / ﻿52.143853°N 10.358675°W﻿ / 52.143853; -10.358675﻿ (St Manchan's Monastery) |
| Scarriff Monastery | | early monastic site, Anchorites | Sgairbh | 51°43′38″N 10°15′21″W﻿ / ﻿51.727241°N 10.255737°W﻿ / 51.727241; -10.255737﻿ (Scarriff Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Skellig Michael Monastery, Great Skellig Island | | early monastic site, purportedly founded by a St Finan; plundered by the Danes 824; rebuilt 860; most of the community transferred to Ballinaskellig probably before mid-11th century, hermits probably remaining into the medieval period | Great Skellig; Raith-maigi-tuaiscirt; Rath-maigi-tuaiscirt; Rath-maigi-tuaidh; Rath-maigi-tuoindhi; Rath-maigi-tuoinoyd; Rath-maigi-toy; Rath-maigi-ytue; Doraythoyg; Rahtuahc; Raythnayt | 51°46′20″N 10°32′19″W﻿ / ﻿51.772133°N 10.538514°W﻿ / 51.772133; -10.538514﻿ (Skellig Michael Monastery) |
| Temple Cashel Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic nuns | | 51°50′52″N 10°22′03″W﻿ / ﻿51.847845°N 10.367502°W﻿ / 51.847845; -10.367502﻿ (Temple Cashel Monastery) |
| Termons Monastery | | early monastic site | | 51°50′59″N 10°10′13″W﻿ / ﻿51.849648°N 10.170196°W﻿ / 51.849648; -10.170196﻿ (Termons Monastery) |
| Tralee Holy Cross Priory | | Dominican Friars founded 1243 by Lord John FitzThomas FitzGerald (John of Callan), buried here; dissolved 1580 | The Dominican Church of Holy Cross Abbey; The Priory of the Holy Cross, Tralee | 52°16′05″N 9°42′35″W﻿ / ﻿52.2680983°N 9.7095859°W﻿ / 52.2680983; -9.7095859﻿ (Tralee Holy Cross Priory) |
The following location in County Kerry lacks monastic connection:
* Ardfert Abbey: Georgian mansion, home of the Crosbie family, destroyed by IRA bomb 1922

## Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

| Click on a county to go to the corresponding article | Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow |