# List of monastic houses in County Donegal

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 |
| Ard Mhuire Friary $^*$ | | Capuchin Franciscan Friars | | 55°07′22″N 7°54′37″W﻿ / ﻿55.1226618°N 7.9102421°W﻿ / 55.1226618; -7.9102421﻿ (Ard Mhuire Friary) |
| Assaroe Abbey | | Cistercian monks — from Boyle daughter house of Boyle founded 1178 by Roderick O'Cananan, Prince of Tyrconnell or Flaharty; colonized 1179 or 1184; dedicated 1184 by Flaharty O'Muldorry; burnt 1377; plundered by Niall Óg O'Neill, King of Tyrone 1398; dissolved after 1597; granted to Anthony Fyrres 1586 | God and St Bernard ____________________ Astrath; Ashroe; Ashrath; Eas-Roe; Es-aeda-ruaid; Inis-Samer; Samaria; Esarua | 54°30′33″N 8°12′03″W﻿ / ﻿54.509034°N 8.200937°W﻿ / 54.509034; -8.200937﻿ (Assaroe Abbey) |
| Aughnish Monastery | | early monastic site, probably not continuing into 11th century; erenaghs until 16th century | Each-inis; Tullyaughnish | |
| Balleeghan Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1471; dissolved 1603; granted to James Fullerton 1603 | Baile-Aighedh-Chaoin; Baile-Fhindhetain; Ballagha | 54°58′52″N 7°36′22″W﻿ / ﻿54.981219°N 7.606091°W﻿ / 54.981219; -7.606091﻿ (Balleeghan Friary) |
| Ballymacswiney Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded 1646 or 1469 by MacSwiney; dissolved before 1607; sold to Sir Ralph Bingley by Henry Perse,1612 | Baile-mic-suibhne; Bailli-macquinadoe; Mukish, nr. Castle Doe | 55°08′18″N 7°54′50″W﻿ / ﻿55.1384624°N 7.9139328°W﻿ / 55.1384624; -7.9139328﻿ (Ballymacswiney Friary) |
| Ballymagrorty Monastery (Drumhome parish) | | early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille | Ballymagroarty | 54°33′01″N 8°08′07″W﻿ / ﻿54.5502386°N 8.1353331°W﻿ / 54.5502386; -8.1353331﻿ (Ballymagroarty Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Ballysaggart Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1500(?) by the Mac-Ruini-Faigs (Mac Swiney Banagh?); dissolved c.1602 | Baile-na-sagart; Fan-an-chartha; Fanegarah; Fanogher; Fanegarah | 54°35′39″N 8°23′34″W﻿ / ﻿54.594282°N 8.392811°W﻿ / 54.594282; -8.392811﻿ (Ballysaggart Friary) |
| Bochiminon Friary $^{~≈?}$ | | Carmelite Friars, possibly located in County Donegal, possibly Rathmullen | possibly Rathmullan | |
| Bothchonais Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks, purportedly founded by Chonas, second husband of Darerca, sister of St Patrick; continuing 11th century | Boithe-conais | 55°17′26″N 7°12′34″W﻿ / ﻿55.2904555°N 7.2094345°W﻿ / 55.2904555; -7.2094345﻿ (Bothchonais Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Carrickmore Monastery | | early monastic site coarbs until 16th century | Carraic; Cairrge | 54°55′28″N 7°28′00″W﻿ / ﻿54.924331°N 7.466755°W﻿ / 54.924331; -7.466755﻿ (Carrickmore Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Carrowmore Monastery | | early monastic site | | 55°15′21″N 7°11′20″W﻿ / ﻿55.255933°N 7.189007°W﻿ / 55.255933; -7.189007﻿ (Carrowmore Monastery) |
| Clonca Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks erenaghs until early 17th century | | 55°16′04″N 7°10′25″W﻿ / ﻿55.267845°N 7.173514°W﻿ / 55.267845; -7.173514﻿ (Clonca Monastery) (given as 55°22′14″N 7°19′48″W﻿ / ﻿55.3704782°N 7.3299408°W﻿ / 55.3704782; -7.3299408﻿ (Clonca Monastery (according to OS map)) on Ordnance Survey map, 1965 - not on 1960 map) |
| Clondahorkey Monastery | | early monastic site; erenagh land 16th-17th century | | |
| Clonenagh Monastery | | early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille | Cluain-enach in Inishowen | |
| Clonfert-mulloe Monastery | | early monastic site, founded before 605; dissolved after 925 | Cluain-ferta-molua; Kyle | |
| Cluain-imurchir | | early monastic site, in existence in the time of St Abban | Cluain-nimurchir; Cluain-immorchair | |
| Clonleigh Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded c.530 by St Colmcille; erenaghs until 16th-17th century | Cluain-laegh; Cluain-laig;Cluain-laodb; Croaghan-laodb; Cruachan-ligean; Druim-lighean; Drumleene | 54°51′05″N 7°28′56″W﻿ / ﻿54.851439°N 7.482333°W﻿ / 54.851439; -7.482333﻿ (Clonleigh Monastery) |
| Clonmany Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; probably continuing after 1111 | Culmaine; Cluain-maine | 55°15′41″N 7°24′39″W﻿ / ﻿55.2614141°N 7.4108791°W﻿ / 55.2614141; -7.4108791﻿ (Clonmany Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Conwal Monastery | | Gaelic monks founded in early 7th century; erenaghs until early 17th century | Conwall Monastery | 54°56′31″N 7°46′58″W﻿ / ﻿54.941960°N 7.782754°W﻿ / 54.941960; -7.782754﻿ (Conwal Abbey) |
| Cnodain Monastery | | early monastic site | | |
| Culdaff Monastery | | early monastic site; erenaghs to 16th-17th century | Culdabhach; Coldoch; Cooledagh | |
| Desertegny Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; erenaghs until after 1397 | Disert-eignigh | 55°11′12″N 7°30′54″W﻿ / ﻿55.186696°N 7.515056°W﻿ / 55.186696; -7.515056﻿ (Desertegny Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Domnach-mor-magene Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 5th century by St Patrick | Domnachmormagene; Domnach-mor-Mag-ene | 54°28′53″N 8°16′23″W﻿ / ﻿54.4813086°N 8.2730484°W﻿ / 54.4813086; -8.2730484﻿ (Domnach-mor-magene Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Donagh Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 5th century by St Patrick | Carndonagh; Domnach-mor-maig-tochair; Domnach-mor-maig-glinne; Domnach-morglinnetochair; Domnachglinne Tochair; Domnachglinne Tochuir | 55°15′00″N 7°16′20″W﻿ / ﻿55.249946°N 7.272107°W﻿ / 55.249946; -7.272107﻿ (Carndonagh Crosses, site of Donagh Monastery) |
| Donaghmore Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 5th century by St Patrick for Dubudae; possibly continuing after 1111; desolated by 1179; erenagh lands until 1609 | Domnach-mor-maige-itha; Donagmore | 54°47′29″N 7°33′09″W﻿ / ﻿54.7912836°N 7.5525856°W﻿ / 54.7912836; -7.5525856﻿ (Donaghmore Monastery) |
| Donegal Friary | | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1474 (or 1473) by Aodh Rua (Hugh Rufus) O'Donnell, chief of Tirconnell, and his mother, Nuala O'Connor; plundered and garrisoned by the English 1588; English driven away by Red Hugh 1592; repaired and re-occupied by 1600; abandoned 1601; dissolved 1601; 17th century place of refuge at Lough Eske; removed to Rossnowlagh (extant); (NM) | 'Donegal Abbey' ; Donegall; Duin-na-gall; Dunangall; Dungallen | 54°39′02″N 8°06′56″W﻿ / ﻿54.6504672°N 8.1154257°W﻿ / 54.6504672; -8.1154257﻿ (Donegal Friary) |
| Drumhome Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks possibly continuing after 1111; erenaghs at least until c.1609 | Druim-thuoma; Druim-tuama; Drimholm; Mullanacross | 54°35′59″N 8°08′33″W﻿ / ﻿54.5997405°N 8.1425858°W﻿ / 54.5997405; -8.1425858﻿ (Drumhome Monastery) |
| Eskaheen Monastery | | early monastic site | Iskaheen; Uisce-chaoin; Uskechaoin | 55°05′22″N 7°16′51″W﻿ / ﻿55.0895192°N 7.2809315°W﻿ / 55.0895192; -7.2809315﻿ (Eskaheen Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Fahan Monastery | | Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; possibly continuing after 10th century; C.I. parochial church built on site 17th century, now ruined | Fathen-mura; Athan-mura; Fothenmor;Othain-mor; Faynwor; Upper Fahan | 55°05′00″N 7°27′39″W﻿ / ﻿55.083211°N 7.460766°W﻿ / 55.083211; -7.460766﻿ (Fahan Monastery) |
| Gartan-Rath Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 521 by St Colmcille | Garton; Gartan; Gortan | 55°00′56″N 7°54′31″W﻿ / ﻿55.015640°N 7.908705°W﻿ / 55.015640; -7.908705﻿ (Gartan-Rath Monastery) |
| Glencolumbkille Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; church on site demolished 1828; C.I. parochial church built on site | Glenn-choluim-chille; Seinglean; Senglend | 54°42′37″N 8°43′31″W﻿ / ﻿54.7101438°N 8.7252045°W﻿ / 54.7101438; -8.7252045﻿ (Glencolumbkille Monastery) |
| Grellagh Monastery | | early monastic site | Greallach; Templemoyle | |
| Inishkeel Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded before c.580 | Inis Keel; Inis-caoil; Inis-coel | 54°50′51″N 8°27′17″W﻿ / ﻿54.8476091°N 8.4548378°W﻿ / 54.8476091; -8.4548378﻿ (Inishkeel Monastery) |
| Inis Saimer Monastery $^~$ | | purported monastic site, location given as island off St John's Point — island does not exist; identified as Assaroe q.v. | Ines Samer; cf Assaroe | 54°30′03″N 8°12′01″W﻿ / ﻿54.500949°N 8.200342°W﻿ / 54.500949; -8.200342﻿ (Inis Saimer Monastery) |
| Inver Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Náile of Kinawley; in parochial use until 1807 | Inber-naile | 54°38′49″N 8°16′50″W﻿ / ﻿54.646836°N 8.280537°W﻿ / 54.646836; -8.280537﻿ (Inver Monastery) |
| Inver Friary $^ø$ | | purported Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular | | |
| Kilbarron Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; erenaghs until early 17th century | Cell-barrainne; Kilvanny | 54°32′05″N 8°12′58″W﻿ / ﻿54.5347289°N 8.2162285°W﻿ / 54.5347289; -8.2162285﻿ (Kilbarron Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Kilcar Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St. Carthach | Kilcartaich; Cell-charthaigh; Killen | 54°38′01″N 8°35′31″W﻿ / ﻿54.6335115°N 8.5919094°W﻿ / 54.6335115; -8.5919094﻿ (Kilcar Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Killaghtee Monastery | | early monastic site, ruins of three churches; erenagh land until 1609 | Cell-aedh-leacht | |
| Killybegs Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1535–1540 by MacSwiny Bannagh; dissolved c.1600; Observant Franciscan Friars place of refuge c.1641; church in C.I. parochial use until 1829 | St. Catherine ____________________ Cell-beaga;Calebeg; Colebeg; Callobegg-Boylaugh; Kilbeg | 54°38′07″N 8°27′00″W﻿ / ﻿54.6352999°N 8.4499454°W﻿ / 54.6352999; -8.4499454﻿ (Killybegs Friary) |
| Killybegs Monastery | | early monastic site; erenaghs until 1609 | | |
| Killydonnell Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded 1471 by Calvagh O'Donnell, on grant of petition to the Pope by Franciscan brothers Dermit Idurnyn and Dermit Magillacsbuig; dissolved c.1603; granted to Captain Basil Brooke | Cell Ua dTomhrair; Cell-ua-dtomhrair; Kill-odtonaire; Kill-O-Donel | 55°01′24″N 7°37′00″W﻿ / ﻿55.0232006°N 7.616787°W﻿ / 55.0232006; -7.616787﻿ (Killydonnell Friary) |
| Kilmacrenan Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1537 by Manus O'Donnell on an early monastic site (see immediately below); dissolved 1603 | Doire Eithne; Cell-mic-Nenain; Cell-mac-n-enain; Cell-mic-creunain; Kilmictrenain | 55°01′50″N 7°46′40″W﻿ / ﻿55.0304818°N 7.7778053°W﻿ / 55.0304818; -7.7778053﻿ (Kilmacrenan Friary) |
| Kilmacrenan Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks possibly continuing after 1111; site of Franciscan friary (see immediately above) | Doire Eithne; Cell-mic-Nenain; Cell-mac-n-enain; Cell-mic-creunain; Kilmictrenain | 55°01′50″N 7°46′40″W﻿ / ﻿55.0304818°N 7.7778053°W﻿ / 55.0304818; -7.7778053﻿ (Kilmacrenan Friary) |
| Kilmonaster Monastery | | Cistercian monks founded c.1194 by E. O'Dogharty of Tirconnel; dissolved before 1228: united to Assaroe presumably before 1228; grange | Kilfothuir; Hilfothuir; Kill-Fothuir; Cillifori; Kyfeire | 54°49′35″N 7°34′38″W﻿ / ﻿54.8264035°N 7.5773048°W﻿ / 54.8264035; -7.5773048﻿ (Kilmonaster Monastery) |
| Leck Monastery | | early monastic site; erenaghs until 1609 | Lackovenan; Leac; Liacc | |
| Lough Derg Friary — Saints Island | | Augustinian Canons Regular founded on Station Island (see immediately below) c.1130; Franciscan Friars founded before 1631 | | 54°36′56″N 7°53′07″W﻿ / ﻿54.615638°N 7.885235°W﻿ / 54.615638; -7.885235﻿ (Lough Derg Friary — Saints Island) |
| Lough Derg Priory — Station Island (see St Patrick's Purgatory) | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 5th century by St Patrick or St Dabeoc in the time of St Patrick; Augustinian Canons Regular dependent on Armagh, probably by St Malachy; founded c.1130 (after 1134); Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian; adopted after 1140; plundered 1196 by an O'Cairin; destroyed 1207 by Bratachas O'Boyle and M'Mahon; transferred to Saints Island; dissolved after 1600? | St Debeog; St Patrick ____________________ Finnloch; Termon Dabeoc | 54°36′57″N 7°52′55″W﻿ / ﻿54.6159213°N 7.8820038°W﻿ / 54.6159213; -7.8820038﻿ (Lough Derg Priory — Station Island) |
| Lough Derg Monastery — Station Island | | Franciscan Friars founded 1763; dissolved 1781, passed to the clergy of the Diocese of Clogher | | |
| Lough Eske | | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual, place of refuge 17th century from Donegal | | |
| Magherabeg Friary | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded after/c.1430 by Niall Garbh O'Donnell; dissolved 1601 | An-macaire-beg; Macairebeg; Magherybeg | 54°38′29″N 8°07′03″W﻿ / ﻿54.641299°N 8.117411°W﻿ / 54.641299; -8.117411﻿ (Magherabeg Friary) |
| Malin Monastery $^ø$ | | ancient church, purportedly monastic | Mala | |
| Mevagh Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks; erenaghs to 1609; remains of church and cross | Midhbheach; Midbech | 55°10′37″N 7°47′37″W﻿ / ﻿55.176852°N 7.793480°W﻿ / 55.176852; -7.793480﻿ (Mevagh Monastery) |
| Moville Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks | Domnachbile; Magbile; Norborgh | 55°11′17″N 7°02′26″W﻿ / ﻿55.1881296°N 7.0404339°W﻿ / 55.1881296; -7.0404339﻿ (Moville Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Moyra Monastery, Ray | | site occupied by remains of a 16th-century church | | |
| Mukish Monastery $^ø$ | | purported monastic site - probably Ballymacswiney, q.v. | Muckish | |
| Racoon Monastery, nr. Ballintra | | early monastic site, Patrician monks founded c.440 | Raithcungi; Raghcunga | 54°34′33″N 8°07′37″W﻿ / ﻿54.5759174°N 8.1269217°W﻿ / 54.5759174; -8.1269217﻿ (Racoon Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Raphoe Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; possibly continuing after 1111; episcopal diocesan cathedral built on site | Raith-both | 54°52′14″N 7°36′14″W﻿ / ﻿54.870503°N 7.603853°W﻿ / 54.870503; -7.603853﻿ (Raphoe Monastery) |
| Rashenny Monastery, in Inishowen | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rath-eanich (Raymoghy, q.v.) | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rath-eanich (Raymoghy, q.v.) | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rath-eanich (Raymoghy, q.v.) | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rath-eanich (Raymoghy, q.v.) |
| Rashenny Monastery, nr Killybegs Harbour | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rathen, County Mayo | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rathen, County Mayo | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rathen, County Mayo | purported early monastic site — confusion with Rathen, County Mayo |
| Rathmullan Priory | | Carmelite Friars possibly founded 1403 and subsequently failed, or (refounded?) 1516 by Owen Roe MacSweeney (Mac Suine Fanagh); plundered by Bingham 1595; dissolved; granted to Sir James Fullerton; assigned to Sir Ralph Bingley; rebuilt as a fortified house by Andrew Knox, Bishop of Raphoe, who had obtained the manor from Turlogh Oge Mac Sweeney; convent in existence c.1737 | St Mary ____________________ Rath-maonlain; Rath-mullin; Bath-Mullian; Bochminon? | 55°05′40″N 7°32′11″W﻿ / ﻿55.094313°N 7.536457°W﻿ / 55.094313; -7.536457﻿ (Rathmullan Priory) |
| Raymoghy Monastery | | Gaelic monks possibly not continuing after 10th century | | 54°56′35″N 7°37′54″W﻿ / ﻿54.9429211°N 7.6315498°W﻿ / 54.9429211; -7.6315498﻿ (Raymoghy Monastery) |
| Rossnowlagh Friary $^*$ | | Franciscan friars founded 1946; church and friary opened 1952; extant | | 54°32′49″N 8°12′23″W﻿ / ﻿54.546907°N 8.206317°W﻿ / 54.546907; -8.206317﻿ (Rossnowlagh Friary) |
| Slieve League Monastery | | early monastic site, hermitage associated with St Aedh mac Bricc and St Assicus; erenagh until at least 1609 | Sliab-liac | |
| Taughboyne Monastery | | early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded before 635/6 by St Fintan Munna | Tech-baithin | 54°56′25″N 7°31′35″W﻿ / ﻿54.9402095°N 7.5263214°W﻿ / 54.9402095; -7.5263214﻿ (Taughboyne Monastery) |
| Temple Douglas | | | | 54°58′05″N 7°52′12″W﻿ / ﻿54.9680565°N 7.8699875°W﻿ / 54.9680565; -7.8699875﻿ (Temple Douglas) |
| Templecrone Monastery | | early monastic site; erenaghs until at least 1609 | Tempall-croine | |
| Temple Douglas Monastery | | early monastic site, purportedly founded 6th century by St Colmcille at church of St Cruithnechan, where he was baptised | Tempall-dubglaise | |
| Toghernegomarkie Monastery | | early monastic site; erenagh lands until at least 1609 | Tochar-negomarkie; Ballybogan | |
| Tory Island Abbey $^{#?}$ | | early monastic site, Columban monks traditionally founded 6th century by St Colmcille; probably used as a refuge by religious orders during the reign of Elizabeth I; ruined and plundered by George Bingham 1595 (NM) | Torach; Toraidhe; Torre | 55°15′52″N 8°13′45″W﻿ / ﻿55.2643486°N 8.2292747°W﻿ / 55.2643486; -8.2292747﻿ (Tory Island Abbey (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tullaghobegley Monastery | | early monastic site, founded by an O'Begley; erenaghs until 1609 | Tulach-an-bigli | 55°06′18″N 8°05′27″W﻿ / ﻿55.1050873°N 8.090744°W﻿ / 55.1050873; -8.090744﻿ (Tullaghobegley Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tullyfern Monastery | | early monastic site; erenaghs until 1609 | Tulach-fionn | |

## 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 |