Roscommon Abbey facts for kids
| Mainistir Ros Comáin | |
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ros-comain; Ros-chomon; Ros-camain; Ros-coman |
| Order | Canons Regular of Saint Augustine/Dominicans |
| Established | 1140 |
| Disestablished | 1578 |
| Diocese | Elphin |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Norman |
| Site | |
| Location | Ballypheasan, Roscommon, County Roscommon |
| Coordinates | 53°37′29.158″N 8°11′30.487″W / 53.62476611°N 8.19180194°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Roscommon Abbey |
| Reference no. | 362 |
Roscommon Abbey is a very old religious building in Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland. It was once a home for monks, known as a priory or abbey. Today, it is a National Monument, meaning it is protected because of its historical importance.
Contents
History of Roscommon Abbey
Roscommon Abbey has a long and interesting past, dating back many centuries. It was a place of worship and learning for different groups of monks.
Early Beginnings
The site of Roscommon Abbey was first used for religious purposes around the 6th century. A holy man named Saint Comman, who was a student of Finnian of Clonard, started a small monastery here.
Augustinian Monks Arrive
Later, after the year 1140, a group of monks called the Augustinian Canons Regular came to Roscommon. They were part of a special group called the Arroasian order. It is thought that Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, a king, helped establish their monastery here. He might have been inspired by Saint Malachy.
Challenges and Changes
Life at the abbey was not always peaceful. It faced many challenges over the years:
- In 1204, the abbey was attacked and robbed by William de Burgh.
- The Anglo-Normans, who were powerful invaders, burned the abbey in 1235 and again in 1247.
Dominican Friars Take Over
In 1253, a new group of monks, the Dominicans, took over the abbey. They were invited by Fedlim Ó Conchobair, who was the king of Connacht at that time.
- The abbey was attacked and robbed again in 1260 by Mac William de Burgo.
- It suffered from a fire in 1270 and was struck by lightning in 1308.
The End of the Abbey
The abbey stopped being used as a monastery before 1578. Its lands were then given to different people by the government. First, Sir Nicholas Malby received it in 1578, and later, Francis Annesley, 1st Viscount Valentia got it in 1615.
Exploring the Abbey's Structure
Even though Roscommon Abbey is now in ruins, you can still see parts of its original design. It shows how buildings were made a long time ago.
Main Church Area
The church part of the abbey was very long. It had a main hall called a nave and a special area for the choir, where monks would sing. Later, in the 1400s, a side section called a northern transept was added.
King Fedlim's Tomb
One of the most important features of the abbey is the tomb of Fedlim Ó Conchobair. He was the king who brought the Dominicans to the abbey. When he died in 1265, he was buried here. His tomb has a special stone carving of him, called an effigy. This carving was made between 1290 and 1300. It is one of only two such royal carvings from that time still existing in Ireland! You can find it in a special spot in the church's north-east corner.
Images for kids
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The great east window of the abbey.
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A view of the choir tomb inside the abbey.
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The nave, or main hall, seen from the transept.
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A look at the north aisle of the abbey.
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The west gable as seen from the north aisle.
