# List of monastic houses in County Kilkenny

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 | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Achardensis Friary $^{ø~}$ | supposed Augustinian Friars, possibly in the barony of Ossory location unknown | Achiardensis Archer? | |
| Aghaviller Monastery | early monastic site, patronised by St Brendan of Birr | Achad-biroir | 52°27′56″N 7°16′05″W﻿ / ﻿52.465539°N 7.268127°W﻿ / 52.465539; -7.268127﻿ (Aghaviller Monastery) |
| Anothmolt Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire (community founded at Loughmerans c.1202); transferred here c.1204; dissolved c.1207, transferred to new site at Graiguenamanagh | Annamult; Achermolt; Athermolt | |
| Ballylarkin Abbey $^ø$ | asserted monastic site, order unknown founded 13th century?; 'abbey'; ruins of a parish church; (NM) | | |
| Calime in Leinster $^{~≈?}$ | Augustinian Friars, probably a duplication of Callan | possibly Callan | |
| Callan Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1215 | 'Callan Abbey' | |
| Callan Augustinian Friary | Augustinian Friars founded 1461 (1468-9) by James (buried here), son of Edmund Butler (son of Sir Richard Butler) who, with his wife, petitioned the Pope who instructed the Abbot of Ferns to instigate the foundation; Observant Augustinian Canons Regular refounded 1472; ruinous by 1540; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Prior William O'Fogarty; held by the executors of the estate of the late Earl of Ormond 1548; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond 1557-8 with friars in occupancy periodically | Calainn; Calime | 52°32′45″N 7°23′14″W﻿ / ﻿52.54584628°N 7.38711745°W﻿ / 52.54584628; -7.38711745﻿ (Callan Augustinian Friary) |
| Callan Friary | Augustinian Friars founded 1766 | | |
| Clonamery Monastery | early monastic site | St Bronndan | 52°28′31″N 7°02′18″W﻿ / ﻿52.475409°N 7.038245°W﻿ / 52.475409; -7.038245﻿ (Clonamery Monastery) |
| Clonfert Kerpan Abbey$^~$ | early monastic site, founded 503 | | |
| Clonmore Monastery | early monastic site, granted to St Mochoemoc (Pulcherius) | Cluain-or, in Ossory | 52°18′20″N 7°17′20″W﻿ / ﻿52.305519°N 7.288852°W﻿ / 52.305519; -7.288852﻿ (Clonmore Monastery) |
| Columbkille Monastery | early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille | Kilgriffin | 52°32′30″N 7°07′56″W﻿ / ﻿52.541702°N 7.132187°W﻿ / 52.541702; -7.132187﻿ (Columbkille Monastery) |
| Duiske Abbey $^+$, Graiguenamanagh | Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire (community founded at Loughmerans c.1202) transferred here from Annamult c.1207, built by William the elder, Earl of Pembroke; dissolved 1536; part of church is in R.C. ecclesiastical use; (NM) | Graiguenamanach; Graignambreathach; Douske; Duiske; Donyske; Vallis S. Salvatoris | 52°32′28″N 6°57′17″W﻿ / ﻿52.541153°N 6.954664°W﻿ / 52.541153; -6.954664﻿ (Duiske Abbey) |
| Drumdelig Friary | Dominican Friars novices house, or Franciscan Friars (the latter had land near Dromdelygen 1541) | Thornback; Druim-Deilgneach; Dhrime-Dhilignach | 52°41′18″N 7°17′14″W﻿ / ﻿52.688440°N 7.287244°W﻿ / 52.688440; -7.287244﻿ (Drumdelig Friary) |
| Ennisnag Monastery$^{#C.I.}$ | early monastic site, founded c. 6th century, by Manchan; Prebend Church, founded 1291 by papal authority suppressed c. 16th century; ruins new Protestant church, St. Peters, founded 19th century. | Saint Manchan, Saint Máedóc -------------- Inis-Snaig Inisnag | 52°33′12″N 7°14′08″W﻿ / ﻿52.553214°N 7.2355099°W﻿ / 52.553214; -7.2355099﻿ (Ennisnag) |
| Fertagh Priory | early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Ciaran of Seirkieran (St Keiran); Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1251 by the English family of Blanchfield; destroyed and ruinous 1421; rebuilt 1455 by Thady Megirid, a canon of Inchmacnerin; dissolved 1540; priory church in parochial use by 6 January 1541; occupied by Nicholas Cowlye; held by Sir Edward Butler 1566; reverted to James Butler, Jr 1566-7;-1780; now part of a handball alley | St Keirman ____________________ Fertae-cairech; Fertnegeragh; Fertakeyra; Frattakyreach; Grangefertagh | 52°46′43″N 7°32′39″W﻿ / ﻿52.778490°N 7.544281°W﻿ / 52.778490; -7.544281﻿ (Fertagh Priory) |
| Fiddown Monastery | early monastic site, founded before late 6th century; coarbs at least until 1073; church demolished 1870 | Fedh-duin; Fiodh-duin; Fid-duin | 52°19′33″N 7°18′10″W﻿ / ﻿52.325901°N 7.302915°W﻿ / 52.325901; -7.302915﻿ (Fiddown Monastery) |
| Freshford Monastery $^+$ | early monastic site, founded 655-7 by St Lachtain mac Torben, Abbot of Achaid-Ut; probably continuing after 1111; site currently occupied by 17th-century St Lachtain's parochial church incorporating 12th century doorway | Achad-ur; Aghoure | 52°43′58″N 7°23′52″W﻿ / ﻿52.732698°N 7.397766°W﻿ / 52.732698; -7.397766﻿ (Freshford Monastery) |
| Gowran Camera | Knights Templar founded before 1253; dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers | Gabran; Gawran | 52°37′56″N 7°03′34″W﻿ / ﻿52.632360°N 7.059317°W﻿ / 52.632360; -7.059317﻿ (Gowran Camera) |
| St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran | Collegiate Church Founded before 1225, Contains a Christianised Ogham Stone from 3rd/4thc. Also the oldest inscribed effigy in Ireland of Ralph, portrieve of Gowran in 1218. The effigy is dated 19 March 1253. The church also contains tombs and effigies of the Butlers of Ormonde. Experts believe that St. Mary's Church was built on the site of an earlier monastery. dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers | Gabhrán; Gowran | 52°37′56″N 7°03′34″W﻿ / ﻿52.632360°N 7.059317°W﻿ / 52.632360; -7.059317﻿ (Gowran Camera) |
| Inistioge Abbey $^{=+}$ | early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century, purportedly by St Colmcille; Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1206 by Thomas Fitz Anthony; dissolved 1540; church in parochial use by 8 January 1541; occupied by Richard Butler; granted to Sir Edmond Butler 1566; incorporated into current C.I. parish church | St Mary and St Colmcille ____________________ St Columba Inis-teoc; Inis-tiock; Ynysteoc | 52°29′21″N 7°03′56″W﻿ / ﻿52.489203°N 7.065534°W﻿ / 52.489203; -7.065534﻿ (Inistioge Abbey) |
| Jerpoint Abbey | probably Benedictine monks founded 1158 (1166–70); Cistercian monks — from Baltinglass founded 1180, grant of church confirmed by charter of John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton c.1185; dissolved 1540; church in parochial use by 7 January 1541; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1558; (NM). Thomastown R.C. church contains the high altar from the abbey | Baleochellam; de Geriponte | 52°30′39″N 7°09′29″W﻿ / ﻿52.51093°N 7.15798°W﻿ / 52.51093; -7.15798﻿ (Jerpoint Abbey) |
| Jerpoint Nunnery | Cistercian(?) nuns foundation unknown adjacent to the monks' abbey; dissolved 1228, removal ordered by Stephen of Lexington | | 52°30′37″N 7°09′26″W﻿ / ﻿52.51037°N 7.1572°W﻿ / 52.51037; -7.1572﻿ (Jerpoint Nunnery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Kells Priory | early monastic site, founded by St Ciaran of Seirkieran; secular college founded 1183 by Geoffrey fitz Robert, confirmed by Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of Ossory; Augustinian Canons Regular — from Bodmin, Cornwall founded 1193 by Geoffrey fitz Robert; burnt by William de Bermingham 1252; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Nicholas Tobin 18 March, or Philip Howleghan, 8 March; occupied by James, Earl of Ormond; church in parochial use by 31 January 1541; part leased to Sir Henry Ratcliff 1576; (NM) | St Mary ____________________ Kells in Ossory; Cananus; Keananas | 52°32′20″N 7°16′00″W﻿ / ﻿52.5388513°N 7.26661682°W﻿ / 52.5388513; -7.26661682﻿ (Kells Priory) |
| Kilcolumb Monastery | early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille; probably continuing after 1161 | Cell-colum | 52°19′39″N 7°02′02″W﻿ / ﻿52.327437°N 7.033943°W﻿ / 52.327437; -7.033943﻿ (Kilcolumb Monastery) |
| Kilfane Monastery | early monastic site, purported 'abbey' founded by St Phian | Cell-phaain | |
| Kilferagh Monastery | early monastic site, purportedly founded by St Fiachrius; church in the monastery of Rathen | Kil-fiachra; Kil-feara | 52°37′08″N 7°10′46″W﻿ / ﻿52.618879°N 7.179319°W﻿ / 52.618879; -7.179319﻿ (Kilferagh Monastery) |
| Kilkenny Augustinian Friary | Augustinian Friars "former canons' monastery" | | |
| Kilkenny Black Abbey$^+$ | Dominican Friars founded 1225 by William Marshal the younger, Earl of Pembroke (purportedly buried here, but actually at Temple Church, London); dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and commonality of Kilkenny 1543; friars apparently remained in the vicinity reoccupied during the right of Queen Mary; used as a courthouse; church restored 1970s; now in parochial use | Holy Trinity Priory | 52°39′15″N 7°15′28″W﻿ / ﻿52.654167°N 7.257778°W﻿ / 52.654167; -7.257778﻿ (Kilkenny Black Abbey) |
| Kilkenny Carmelite Friary | listed as not restored c.1737 | | |
| Kilkenny Cathedral Monastery$^+$ | early monastic site, founded before 599/600 by St Canice; episcopal diocesan cathedral 1111; extant | | 52°39′15″N 7°15′27″W﻿ / ﻿52.654161°N 7.257505°W﻿ / 52.654161; -7.257505﻿ (Kilkenny Cathedral Monastery) |
| Kilkenny Grey Friary | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1232-40; dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and the commonality of Kilkenny 1543; friars expelled by John Bale c.1550; returned 1553; expelled 1559, abandoned; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1609; convent refounded 1612; refounded 1640 | The Abbey Church of Saint Francis, Kilkenny | 52°39′21″N 7°15′13″W﻿ / ﻿52.655906°N 7.253648°W﻿ / 52.655906; -7.253648﻿ (Kilkenny Grey Friary) |
| Kilkenny Hospitallers | Knights Hospitaller "liberum hospicum" 1335; "frankehouse" 1541 | | |
| Kilkenny Hospital | Knights of St Thomas of Acon founded before 1219 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, confirmed to the knights and brothers by charter of Gilbert Marshall, Earl of Pembroke | The Hospital of Saint John the Baptist | |
| Kilkenny, St John's Priory | hospital, founded c.1202 by William Marshal the elder, Earl of Pembroke Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1211; dissolved 1540, surrendered by Richard Cantwell, 19 March; in parochial use by 4 January 1541; granted to the Mayor and citizens of Kilkenny | Hospital of St John the Evangelist The Priory Church of Saint John, Kilkenny ____________________ St John's Priory without the walls; St John the Baptist | |
| Kilkenny Nunnery | | | |
| Kilkieran Monastery | early monastic site, high crosses | Cell-cainnig; Canocopolis | 52°23′52″N 7°22′51″W﻿ / ﻿52.397791°N 7.380731°W﻿ / 52.397791; -7.380731﻿ (Kilkieran Monastery) |
| Killaloe Monastery | early monastic site, founded c.540 by St Mochua | Cell-molua | 52°34′55″N 7°26′26″W﻿ / ﻿52.581862°N 7.440555°W﻿ / 52.581862; -7.440555﻿ (Killaloe Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Killamery Monastery | early monastic site, possibly founded c.632 by St Gobhan; probably not continuing after 10th century | Cell-Lamhraighe; Killamruidhe | 52°30′44″N 7°25′48″W﻿ / ﻿52.512147°N 7.430019°W﻿ / 52.512147; -7.430019﻿ (Killamery Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Killenny Abbey | possible Benedictine monks founded 1162-5, site granted by Dermot O'Ryan, liegeman of Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, to Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Abbot of Ossory, confirmed by Dermot; Cistercian monks — from Jerpoint founded 1184; united to Graiguenamanagh 22 July 1227, confirmed by Stephen of Lexington grange of Graiguenamanagh; granted to Charles Cavenagh, Abbot of Graiguenamanagh for 61 years 10 June 1525; dissolved 1540, remaining in possession of Cavenagh at least until 1548, unknown whether monks remained in occupation | St Mary and St Benedict ____________________ Vallis Dei; Glandy; Barrowmount; Old Abbey | |
| Kilmanagh Monastery | early monastic site, founded before 563? by St Natalis (or Notan); probably not continuing after 10th century | Cell-na-manach | 52°37′16″N 7°25′42″W﻿ / ﻿52.621061°N 7.428195°W﻿ / 52.621061; -7.428195﻿ (Kilmanagh Monastery (?)) (?) |
| Kilree Monastery | early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Brigid; apparently erroneous reference to foundation of an abbey 1176 | Cell-righ | 52°31′05″N 7°16′07″W﻿ / ﻿52.518147°N 7.268540°W﻿ / 52.518147; -7.268540﻿ (Kilree Monastery) |
| Knocktopher Friary$^^$ | Carmelite Friars founded 1356 by James Butler, 2nd Earl of Ormond for the friars already in the town; dissolved before c.1541; granted to Margaret, Countess of Ormond; friars returned 17th century; expelled before 1654; friars returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; remains incorporated into private house, currently in use as a guest house named 'Knocktopher Abbey' | St Mary The Friary of St Saviour | 52°28′59″N 7°13′00″W﻿ / ﻿52.482931°N 7.216650°W﻿ / 52.482931; -7.216650﻿ (Knocktopher Friary) |
| Knocktopher Carmelite Friary * | Carmelite Friars returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; new church consecrated 1843; extant | | 52°28′57″N 7°12′52″W﻿ / ﻿52.482395°N 7.214327°W﻿ / 52.482395; -7.214327﻿ (Knocktopher Carmelite Friary) |
| Loghmere Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire founded c.1202/4; transferred to Anothmolt before 1207 | Loughmerans Abbey | 52°40′58″N 7°15′41″W﻿ / ﻿52.682913°N 7.261276°W﻿ / 52.682913; -7.261276﻿ (Loughmere Abbey (approx.)) (approx) |
| Ossarge Abbey | Benedictine monks dependent on Wurzburg; founded before 1148? (before 1162-5); if Kilkenny, apparently transferred to Jerpoint in, or soon after, 1165; dissolved 1541 | Ossory; possibly Jerpoint; possibly Kilkenny | |
| Rosbercon Abbey | Dominican friars founded 1267, purportedly by the Grace family or the Walsh family; dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Matthew Flemynge 20 June | St Mary; The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
| Shankill Monastery | "site of Abbey" | Seincheall | 52°41′09″N 7°03′31″W﻿ / ﻿52.685956°N 7.058544°W﻿ / 52.685956; -7.058544﻿ (Shankill Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tibberaghny Monastery | early monastic site, founded 6th century, patronised by St Mo-Dhomnog of Lann Beachaire | Tipra-fachtnai | 52°20′46″N 7°21′33″W﻿ / ﻿52.346115°N 7.359188°W﻿ / 52.346115; -7.359188﻿ (Tibberaghny Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tiscoffin Monastery | early monastic site, 'cella' founded 6th century by St Scuithin (Scuithin) | Tech-scruithin; Tech-scoithin; Tascoffin | 52°40′42″N 7°06′01″W﻿ / ﻿52.678464°N 7.100258°W﻿ / 52.678464; -7.100258﻿ (Tiscoffin Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tullaherin Monastery | early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Cainnnech; round tower on site | Tulach-tirm; Tulach-Iarain | 52°34′44″N 7°07′41″W﻿ / ﻿52.578811°N 7.128081°W﻿ / 52.578811; -7.128081﻿ (Tullaherin Monastery) |
| Tullamaine Monastery | early monastic site; plundered 1026 | Tealach-dimainn; Tealach-n-ionmainne | |
| Ullard Monastery | early monastic site, founded before 670 by St Fiachra high cross (9th c.) and ruined church (12th c.) | | 52°34′49″N 6°55′59″W﻿ / ﻿52.580278°N 6.933056°W﻿ / 52.580278; -6.933056﻿ (Ullard Monastery) |
| Woolengrange $^~$ | Cistercian monks grange of Jerpoint; leased out 1541 | | |

## 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 |