Muckross Abbey

Muckross Abbey was founded around 1448 by Donal McCarthy Mor as a Franciscan friary, burned by Cromwellian forces under Ludlow in 1652, and left roofless. It survives better than most: the church, tower, and a complete two-storey cloister with vaulted arcades on all four sides. In the middle of the cloister grows a yew tree of considerable age, its trunk filling most of the courtyard and its canopy roofing it - the tree is probably as old as the friary or close to it, and the enclosed space around it is what people remember. The friary was the burial place of the McCarthy Mor chiefs and later of several Gaelic poets, including Aogan O Rathaille and Eoghan Rua O Suilleabhain, whose graves are marked. Access is free at any hour, on foot or by bicycle from the Muckross car park, about ten minutes' walk. Floors are uneven and the stairs are worn.

History

The friary, first known as the Friary of Irrelagh, was founded in 1448 for the Observant Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor. It was attacked in the Desmond Rebellions of the late 16th century, and in 1652 soldiers under Edmond Ludlow deliberately removed its roof (Wikipedia, Muckross Abbey).

What's there

• The yew in the cloister - filling the courtyard, roughly as old as the friary.
• The complete cloister - two storeys, vaulted arcades on all four sides.
• The poets' graves - O Rathaille and O Suilleabhain among those buried here.
• The tower and church - roofless since 1652 but substantially standing.

When to go

April to October, though it is open at any hour year-round. Early morning avoids the walkers and jaunting cars from Muckross. Autumn light through the cloister is the reason many photographers come.

Before you go

Roofless, so poor in rain. Uneven floors, worn spiral stairs and low doorways. No facilities at the abbey - the nearest are at Muckross House. It is a ten-minute walk from the car park.

Nearby

Muckross House is a short walk; Killarney town and Torc Waterfall are close.

Key facts