Quin Abbey facts for kids
| Mainistir Chuinche | |
Quin Abbey
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Quin Friary |
| Order | Franciscans |
| Established | c. 1350 (church), 1433 (abbey) |
| Disestablished | 1541 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | MacNamara family |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | National Monument |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1402 |
| Completion date | 1433 |
| Site | |
| Location | Quin, County Clare, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°49′9.43″N 8°51′46.87″W / 52.8192861°N 8.8630194°W |
| Public access | Yes |
| Official name | Quin Abbey |
| Reference no. | 15 |
Quin Abbey (in Irish, Mainistir Chuinche) is a beautiful old ruined abbey in Quin, County Clare, Ireland. It was built for Franciscan friars. These friars were like monks who lived and worked in the community. The abbey is a very important historical site.
Contents
History of Quin Abbey
Early Beginnings
Long ago, a monastery stood on this very spot. Sadly, it burned down in the year 1278. After that, a Norman castle was built there. A military leader named Thomas de Clare built this castle. You can still see the huge foundations of its corner towers today.
Around 1350, the castle was already a ruin. The local MacNamara clan then rebuilt it. They turned the old castle into a church.
Rebuilding and Changes
The abbey you see today was rebuilt between 1402 and 1433. It was either Mac Cam Dall Macnamara or Sioda Cam MacConmara who rebuilt it. They used the south wall of the old castle in their new design. This new building was actually a friary, a home for Franciscan friars.
In 1541, during a time called the Reformation, King Henry VIII took control of the friary. It then went to Conor O'Brian, who was the Earl of Thomond. But around 1590, the MacNamaras got the site back. They worked hard to repair and restore the monastery. By 1604, it was fully repaired.
Later Years and Ruin
Around 1640, the building became a college. It is said that 800 students studied there! However, only ten years later, Oliver Cromwell arrived. His forces killed the friars and damaged the friary.
In 1671, the building was restored again. But it never became as important as it once was. In 1740, a visitor named Bishop Pococke described it. He said Quin was "one of the finest and most entire monasteries" he had seen in Ireland. Even in 1808, the monastery was still in good shape.
The friars were finally asked to leave in 1760. However, the last friar, John Hogan, stayed until he died in 1820. By then, the buildings were in ruins because no one was looking after them.
What Quin Abbey Looks Like Today
Even though most of its roof is gone, the abbey's structure is still very well preserved. It has a complete cloister, which is an open courtyard with covered walkways. Many other old parts of the building are still there. This makes the friary very important for history.
Exploring the Abbey
There is a visitor centre near the abbey. You can visit the building and its grounds for free. A caretaker is always at the monument. Lights have also been put in place to light up the abbey at night. The graveyard around the friary is still used today.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Clare)
