Iona Nunnery facts for kids
The Iona Nunnery was a special home for nuns on the island of Iona in Scotland. Nuns are women who dedicate their lives to God. This nunnery was built after the year 1203. It was started by a man named Ranald, who was the son of Somerled.
Ranald's sister, Bethóc, became the very first leader of the nunnery. She was called the "prioress." Today, you can still see the peaceful ruins of the nunnery. They are near Iona's only village, Baile Mor. These ruins are the best-preserved remains of a medieval nunnery in all of Scotland. The nunnery stopped being used after a big change in Scotland called the Scottish Reformation.
A Look Back: The Nunnery's Story
The Iona Nunnery was founded after a nearby monastery for monks was built in 1203. Ranald, also known as Raghnall mac Somhairle, founded both places. His sister, Bethóc, was chosen to be the first prioress.
This nunnery was one of only two places in Scotland for Augustinian nuns. The other was the St. Leonards Nunnery in Perth.
In the museum at the nearby Iona Abbey, you can see part of a headstone. It belonged to Anna MacLean, who was a prioress of the nunnery. She passed away in 1543.
People have worked to restore parts of the nunnery. This work happened in 1923 and again in 1993.
How the Nunnery Was Built
The Iona Nunnery was built in a style often seen in Ireland. The main church building has three sections. There is also a passage on the north side. A small chapel is located on the east side of this passage.
The cloister, which is an open courtyard, measures 14 meters square. It was actually smaller when it was first built. The east part of the building had three rooms on the ground floor. The nuns' sleeping area, called the dormitory, was above these rooms.
The south part of the building held the refectory. This was the dining hall where the nuns ate their meals. A new floor was added to this area in the 1500s. The west part of the building is now below the modern road. It was probably used as a place for guests to stay.
Who Looks After It Now?
The Iona Nunnery is currently looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. It is protected as a very important historical site.
