Monastery of Mohill-Manchan facts for kids
 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Saint Mary's Priory of Maethail-Manchan |
| Established | 6th century |
| Disestablished | c. 1550 – c. 1590 |
| Dedicated to | Saint Manchan |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ardagh |
| Controlled churches | Medieval Christian |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Manchan |
| Site | |
| Location | County Leitrim |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°55′21″N 7°51′56″W / 53.92259°N 7.86557°W |
| Visible remains | school-house ruins round tower base. |
| Public access | No |
The monastery of Mohill-Manchan was an old religious building in Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland. It was first built in the 6th century by Saint Manchan.
Later, around 1216, it became a religious house for a group called the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. They dedicated it to Saint Mary. This priory was closed down sometime between 1550 and 1590. It was briefly reopened during a time called Confederate Ireland but was closed again by Cromwell's forces around 1649–1653. In the 1700s, a new St. Mary's Church, Mohill, which was Protestant, was built using some of the old ruins.
Contents
What was Mohill Monastery?
The Mohill monastery was one of many religious places that started in Ireland during the 500s. A Christian leader named Manchan founded a church here between 500 and 538 AD. We don't know if Manchan died at Mohill. However, his remains might have been kept and honored there.
We don't know much about the daily life of the monks at Mohill. But most monasteries had a church, a school, and a place for visitors. They also had a burial ground, small monastic cells for monks, and a round tower.
The monastery was usually run by a bishop or an abbot. Sometimes, a special Irish leader called an "erenagh" was in charge. The monastery was closely linked to the local area called Muintir Eolais. The monks lived a simple and strict life.
The Mohill monastery was quite large. It spread across the river and included several local areas. These areas were Mohill, Tullybradan, Lisdadanan, Coolabaun, Cappagh, Gortfadda, and Drumcroy. This was a big estate, about 300 to 600 acres in size. A smaller church, like a branch, was also set up at Cloonmorris around 500–700 AD.
From Monastery to Priory
Starting in the 1200s (around 1216), the monastery changed. It became known as the Priory of Saint Mary's of Mohill-Manchan. This change happened because of a movement to reform the Irish church.
The priory was part of the diocese of Ardagh. The monks here followed the rules of Saint Augustine. The Priory of St. Mary's was led by a prior. This position was quite valuable, worth about 20 "marks sterling" around 1400.
In 1418, the priory was described as a "conventual" place. This means it had a community of monks. It was also said to be a smaller part of the priory of Abbeyshrule. However, in 1475, it was described as independent.
Priors and Canons
It's hard to list all the leaders and monks of this old monastery. But some names have been recorded in old church documents. Here are a few:
- Saint Manchan: He was the founder and first Abbot around 500-538 AD.
- Murianus Mag Raghnaill: He was a Prior and Canon around 1397-1412.
- Matthew O'Roddy: He was a Canon in 1413 and later a Prior around 1418-1433.
- Donald Mag Raghnaill: He was a Prior and Canon from 1485 to after 1526.
- Anthony Reynolds: He was appointed Prior and Canon on August 21, 1648. This was during a brief time when the priory was revived.
What the Annals Say
Old Irish history books, called the Irish Annals, mention the Mohill priory many times. For example, in 1430, the Annals of the Four Masters tells us something interesting. The Mohill Priory had the right to offer safety to people running from enemies.
The Annals also record a military invasion of Muintir Eolais in March 1590. The local leaders were defeated. Because of this, Mohill Priory was taken over by the English crown.
Here are some other mentions:
- "AD 538: Manchán of Maethail fell." (This might mean he died).
- "1166: The shrine of Manchan, of Maethail, was covered by Ruaidhri Ua Conchobhair, and an embroidering of gold was carried over it by him, in as good a style as a relic was ever covered in Ireland." (This shows how important Saint Manchan's shrine was).
- "1430: Brian, the son of Tiernan Og O'Rourke, was slain by the sons of Melaghlin Mac Rannall, at Maethail-Mhanchain; and Donough Mac Tiernan was driven into the monastery of Maethail. Donough, however, came out of his own accord, for the sake of his people, on Mac Rannall's guarantee; and made peace between them; and an eric (compensation) was given to O'Rourke for the death of Brian." (This shows the monastery as a place of sanctuary).
- "1486: The Prior of Maethail, Farrell, the son of Robert Mac Rannall, died."
- "1590: An immense army was sent by the governor .. to Muinter-Eolais, in the beginning of March; and they captured ten hundred cows. And they were that night in Maethail; ... Pledges from the comarb of Fidhnacha, and pledges from the comarb of Druim-Oiriallaigh, and nine pledges from Muinter-Eolais, both church and territory, came with the Saxons on that occasion." (This describes the English army taking over the area).
First Closure of the Priory
From the 1540s, the English government began closing down monasteries across Ireland. By the end of the 1500s, it was a difficult time for Catholic priests.
Some records say the monastery was closed as late as 1621. However, Mohill was already called the "Queen's manor" in 1583. In 1590, a large English army took over Mohill. They defeated the local leaders of Muintir Eolais.
After it was closed, the "late monastery of Moghill" was divided. Parts of it went to Edward Barrett around 1592 and Terence O'Byrne around 1594. Barrett's share later went to an Englishman named John Crofton in 1594. When the priory was closed, its lands included Tullybradan, Coolabaun, Gortfadda, and Drumcroy. These lands totaled about 160 to 240 acres. There was also a church, two stone buildings, and a cemetery.
Brief Reopening and Final Closure
During the Irish Confederate Wars (around 1642–1649), a period known as Confederate Ireland rule began. The "Priory of Mohill" was reopened in some way during this time. Church documents show that a Canon named Antony Mag Raghnaill (also known as Reynolds) was made Prior of Maothail-Manchain on August 21, 1648.
However, this reopening was short-lived. The Priory was closed down again during the harsh Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (around 1649–1653).
What Remains Today
After the priory was closed, its clergy faced danger under laws called the Penal Laws. These laws made it hard for Catholic priests to practice their religion. For example, in 1713, an old priest named Father Connor Reynolds was caught hiding on a fishing boat. He had been living in Spain since 1681.
Today, not much is left of the old religious site. You can still see an old school-house that is hard to reach. There is also the base of a round tower near the old persons home in town. The remains of the old abbey form parts of the south and east walls of the Hyde family vault in the graveyard of 'Saint Mary's church'. This church was built later on the priory's ruins. The Crofton family also built an old castle at Rinn Lough using stones from Mohill Priory.
There might be other hidden ruins on the wider site. However, the Mohill monastery is not officially listed as a national monument or heritage site.
