Abbeyknockmoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abbeyknockmoy
Mainistir Chnoc Muaidhe
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Village
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Ruins of the 12th century Cistercian Knockmoy Abbey
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 Abbeyknockmoy
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Galway |
| Population
(2016)
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262 |
Abbeyknockmoy (which means "Abbey of Muaidh's Hill" in Irish) is a small village and parish in County Galway, Ireland. It is famous for the old ruins of a 12th-century abbey nearby. This abbey was built by Cistercian monks and was a very important place long ago. It used to be part of the ancient kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht.
Contents
The Historic Abbey
The Abbeyknockmoy Abbey was a Cistercian monastery. It was founded in 1190 by Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, who was the King of Connacht. He built it after winning an important battle. King Cathal later became a Cistercian monk himself and was buried at the abbey in 1224. Monks from Boyle Abbey came to live in this new abbey. Many parts of the abbey still stand today. They show how it was connected to other abbeys in western Ireland.
Art and Sculpture at the Abbey
The abbey was once decorated with beautiful wall paintings. You can still see some traces of them in the presbytery (the area near the altar). These paintings show religious scenes like Saint Sebastian, the Crucifixion, and the Trinity. There's also a unique painting of "the three living and three dead." One piece even shows a hunting scene, which tells us that hunting was popular back then.
The abbey also has amazing sculptures. The artists who worked here were the same ones who worked at Boyle Abbey. One special sculpture is a carved head on a pillar. Even though parts of it are damaged, you can still see its detailed eyes, fancy crown, and curly hair. Some experts think this head might be a picture of King Cathal himself, honoring him for building the abbey.
Abbey's Later History
The monastery faced some tough times. In 1200, it was attacked by William de Burgh. Later, in 1483, the abbot (the head monk) was even accused of setting the abbey on fire!
Village Life
Abbeyknockmoy is home to a local football team called St Bernards Utd. They won a big title in 2016, which was the highest honor in junior soccer for the Galway area.
In 2016, Abbeyknockmoy was officially named a "census town." At that time, it had a population of 262 people.
Famous People from Abbeyknockmoy
- Clifton Wrottesley - He finished 4th in the Men's Skeleton event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- David Connolly - A retired Irish football player who played for the Republic of Ireland national football team.
- Jim Gaffney - A striker for Blyth Spartans and a youth international player for the Republic of Ireland national football team.
See also
In Spanish: Abbeyknockmoy para niños
