Inishmaine Abbey
Inishmaine Abbey is a former Augustinian monastery and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1]
Mainistir Inis Meáin | |
Location within Ireland | |
Monastery information | |
---|---|
Other names | Inis-medhon, Inis-meadhoin, Inis-meadhon, Inchmean |
Order | Augustinians |
Established | 7th century |
Disestablished | c. 1587 |
Mother house | Kilcreevanty Abbey |
Diocese | Tuam |
People | |
Founder(s) | Corbmac |
Architecture | |
Status | ruined |
Style | Norman |
Site | |
Location | Inishmaine, Ballinrobe, County Mayo |
Coordinates | 53.598092°N 9.301341°W |
Visible remains | church, gatehouse |
Public access | yes |
Official name | Inishmaine Abbey |
Reference no. | 302 |
Location
Inishmaine Abbey is located on the eastern shores of Lough Mask, southwest of Ballinrobe. It once stood on an island, but canal construction lowered the water level and it is now on a peninsula.[2][3]
History
Inishmaine was an early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Corbmac.
It was refounded after 1223 and settled by Arroasian Augustinian nuns (possibly from Annaghdown Nunnery) and was dependent on Kilcreevanty.[4]
Inishmaine Abbey was dissolved c. 1587. During the troubles of the 17th century the Abbey was burned down.[5]
Building
All that remains is the 13th century church and 15th century gatehouse. A number of ashlar blocks in the nave and the lintelled north doorway may have come from an earlier structure. There are carved capitals on the chancel arch.[6][7]
The twin east window is also decorated in mouldings of wild and imaginary animals.
References
- "Augustinian Abbey, Inishmaine, County Mayo - Chancel Arch and East Windows (ID: e%3A2262%2F39227)".
- "Gothic Past - Augustinian Abbey, Inishmaine, County Mayo - Chancel Arch and East Windows".
- Firbis, Duald Mac (1 January 1844). "Geineaich ua Ch-Fiachrach". Irish archæological society – via Google Books.
- "St Corbmac, Inishmaine · The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain & Ireland".
- Past, Ed Hannon-Visions of the (15 July 2015). "Inishmaine Abbey, Mayo, Ireland".
- "Inishmaine Abbey, Mayo".
- Stokes, William (20 November 2014). The Life and Labours in Art and Archaeology, of George Petrie. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108075701 – via Google Books.