Red Abbey, Cork facts for kids
The Red Abbey in Cork, Ireland is a very old building that used to be a monastery for a group of monks called the Augustinians. It was built way back in the 1300s! It got its name, "Red Abbey," because it was built using reddish stone. Today, most of the abbey is gone, but its tall, central bell tower still stands. This tower is one of the few remaining parts of the old, walled city of Cork from the Middle Ages.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: The Abbey's Story
How the Abbey Began
Around the late 1200s or early 1300s, the Augustinian monks built their monastery in Cork. These monks lived and worked there for a long time, possibly even until the early 1700s.
The Abbey During a Big Battle
In 1690, there was a big fight called the Siege of Cork. During this siege, a famous general named John Churchill (who later became the Duke of Marlborough) used the abbey tower. He used it as a high spot to look out over the city and as a place to set up cannons. This battle was part of an effort to stop a rebellion in Cork and its support for King James II.
From Monastery to Sugar Factory
Later, in the 1700s, the Augustinian monks moved to a new place in Cork. The Red Abbey then got a new job! It was turned into a factory that made sugar. But sadly, in 1799, a big fire broke out at the sugar factory. This fire destroyed most of the old abbey building.
What Remains Today
Today, all that is left of the Red Abbey is its strong bell tower. This tower is very important because it's one of the last parts of medieval Cork that you can still see. Because it's so important, the tower is now protected as a national monument in Ireland. The city council of Cork helps to take care of it, making sure it stays safe for everyone to see.
