St. Dominic's Abbey facts for kids
| Mainistir Dhoiminiceach Chaisil | |
Ruins of the abbey church
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Dominican Order |
| Established | 1243 |
| Disestablished | 1540, 1850 |
| Diocese | Cashel and Emly |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | David mac Cellaig |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Style | Late Gothic |
| Site | |
| Location | Dominic Street, Cashel, County Tipperary |
| Coordinates | 52°31′05″N 7°53′16″W / 52.518066°N 7.887777°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | St. Dominic's Abbey |
| Reference no. | 193 |
St. Dominic's Abbey is an old monastery in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. It was built a very long time ago, in the Middle Ages. This abbey belonged to a group of monks called the Dominicans. Today, it is a special place known as a National Monument because of its history and importance.
Contents
Where is St. Dominic's Abbey?
St. Dominic's Abbey is found about 300 meters (or 328 yards) southeast of the famous Rock of Cashel. It's easy to visit both places when you are in Cashel!
The Abbey's Story
How it Started in 1243
The abbey was first built in 1243. A person named David mac Cellaig, who was the Archbishop of Cashel, started it. This was during the time when King Henry III ruled England. The first monks, called friars, came all the way from Cork to live here.
Important Meetings and Changes
The Irish Dominican leaders held important meetings, called provincial chapters, at this abbey in 1256, 1289, and 1307. The church part of the monastery was made bigger around the year 1270.
Later, in 1480, the abbey was accidentally burned down. But don't worry, it was rebuilt! A person named John Cantwell II helped to get it started again.
When the Abbey Closed Down
In the 1500s, many monasteries in England and Ireland were closed down. This was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. St. Dominic's Abbey was closed in 1540. The leader of the abbey at the time, Prior Edward Brown, officially gave it up on April 8, 1540.
After it closed, the abbey's land and buildings were rented out. It included the church, a bell tower, a sleeping area for the monks (dormitory), and even some orchards and gardens. In 1543-1544, the abbey was given to a man named Walter Fleming.
The Last Monks
Even after it was officially closed, some Dominican monks still lived near the abbey. In 1756, there were five monks. By 1800, only one monk was left. The very last Dominican monk from Cashel was Father Conway, who was still there in 1850.
What the Buildings Look Like
The abbey has a shape that looks a bit like a cross. It has a tall tower right in the middle, where the main parts of the church meet. It has one side section (called an aisle) and one arm of the cross (called a transept). You can still see the beautiful Gothic style, especially in the window patterns.
