Quin Abbey - Quin, County Clare, Ireland
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 52° 49.148 W 008° 51.797
29U E 509213 N 5852159
Historic former abbey/friary in the small village of Quin, County Clare, Ireland.
Waymark Code: WMAGG7
Location: Munster, Ireland
Date Posted: 01/12/2011
Views: 10
"Quin Abbey was built between 1402 and 1433 by Sioda Cam MacNamara,
for Fathers Purcell and Mooney, monks of the Franciscan order, in
Quin, County Clare, Ireland. Although mostly roofless, the
structure of the
abbey
is relatively well preserved. There is an
intact cloister, and many other surviving architectural features
make the abbey of significant historical value.
A far earlier monastery had existed on the site, which burned
down in 1278. A Norman castle was built soon after by Thomas de
Clare, a military commander. The foundations of the castle's
enormous corner towers can still be seen. Around 1350 the castle,
by then a ruin, was rebuilt as a church by the McNamara clan. It
was this structure which the MacNamaras subsequently rebuilt as the
present abbey. In 1541, during the Reformation, King Henry VIII
confiscated the abbey and it passed into the hands of Conor
O'Brian, Earl of Thomond. In about 1590 the MacNamaras regained
control of the abbey and once again set about repairing and
restoring it. In about 1640 the building became a college and is
alleged to have had 800 students. Oliver Cromwell arrived only 10
years later, murdering the monks and destroying the abbey. In 1671
the abbey was once again restored, but never regained its former
status. Eventually in 1760 the monks were expelled, although the
last Friar, John Hogan, remained there until his death in 1820, by
which time the buildings were ruined by neglect.
The abbey is roughly 9 miles from Ennis. A visitor centre is
located near the abbey and the structure and grounds can be visited
free of charge. A caretaker is permanently based at the abbey.
Floodlighting has recently been installed which produces a
spectacular sight at night. The graveyard surrounding the abbey is
still in use." - Wikipedia