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Abbeydorney Abbey

Coordinates: 52°21′12″N 9°41′14″W / 52.35333°N 9.68722°W / 52.35333; -9.68722
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Abbeydorney Abbey
The abbey in May 2010
Abbeydorney Abbey is located in Ireland
Abbeydorney Abbey
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesKyrie Eleison Odorney
OrderCistercian
Established1154
Disestablished1537
Mother houseMonasteranenagh Abbey
DioceseLimerick
People
Founder(s)O'Torneys
Important associated figuresChristian O'Conarchy the first abbott of Mellifont buried here
Site
LocationMontanagay, Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry
Coordinates52°21′12″N 9°41′14″W / 52.35333°N 9.68722°W / 52.35333; -9.68722
Visible remains15th century abbey church with west tower and some of the claustral buildings. The grounds are largely occupied by gravestones and are currently in use as a cemetery.
Public accessYes (Discover Ireland)[1]

Abbeydorney Abbey, also known as Kyrie Eleison Abbey or Odorney was founded by the O Torna, chieftain of the region, in 1154 for the Cistercians from Monasteranenagh.[2][3]

The abbey was the daughter-house of Monasteranenagh in County Limerick, and was the only medieval Cistercian house in County Kerry.

The name given by the Cistercians, Kyrie Eleison (from Greek: Lord Have Mercy) was in accordance with the order's tradition of giving names which reflected the locality - in this instance the word Kyrie (Lord) being similar to Ciarrai (County Kerry).

Christian O'Conarchy the first abbott of Mellifont retired to the abbey where he spent his remaining years, and was buried here in 1186.[4]

A subsequent abbot was deposed in 1227 after being involved in the Conspiracy of Mellifont.

The foundation was dissolved in 1537.

The remains visible today include the 15th century abbey church with west tower and some of the claustral buildings. The grounds are largely occupied by gravestones and are currently in use as a cemetery.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ (Kyrie Eleison Abbey), Discover Ireland.
  2. ^ The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland: Adapted to the New Poor-law, Franchise, Municipal and Ecclesiastical Arrangements, and Compiled with a Special Reference to the Lines of Railroad and Canal Communication, as Existing in 1814-45. A. Fullarton and Company. 1846. p. 3.
  3. ^ Barrington, T. J. (1999). Discovering Kerry: Its History, Heritage & Topography. Collins Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-898256-71-7.
  4. ^ Julie Kerr, Sarah Foot. "Cistercian Abbeys: ABBEYDORNEY". www.dhi.ac.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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  • Church Ruins:[1]
  • View of Abbey Ruins:[2]
  • Modern Church:[3]