St. Mary's Abbey, Duleek facts for kids
| Mainistir Mhuire | |
Tower, 15th century
|
|
 Location in Ireland
|
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Canons Regular (Arrouaisian) |
| Established | 1180 |
| Disestablished | 1537 |
| Mother house | Clonard Abbey |
| Dedicated to | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Diocese | Meath |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Heritage designation | |
| Official name | Duleek Church |
| Reference no. | 179 |
| Style | Norman |
| Site | |
| Location | Commons, Duleek, County Meath, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°39′18″N 6°25′08″W / 53.655069°N 6.418806°W |
| Public access | yes |
St. Mary's Abbey is an old monastery in Duleek, Ireland. It is also a very important historical site, known as a National Monument. This means it is protected because of its history and special architecture.
Contents
Where is St. Mary's Abbey?
St. Mary's Abbey is in the middle of Duleek. This area is called the Commons. You can find it between Main Street and Church Lane. The Nanny River flows nearby, to the southwest.
A Look at the Abbey's History
A monastery has stood in Duleek for a very long time. The first one was built way back in the 5th century. There was once a tall, round tower here. It was hit by lightning in 1147 but stayed standing for many more centuries.
How the Abbey Was Built
In 1180, a powerful lord named Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath gave Duleek to a group of religious people called the Canons Regular. The buildings you see today were built later. The southern arcade is from the 13th century. The southern aisle and the bell tower were added in the 15th century. The main tower and the east gable (the triangular part of a wall) with its window are from the 16th century.
The Abbey's Later Years
The abbey was closed down in 1537. This happened during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After it closed, the abbey grounds were used for burials. Important people were buried here. For example, James Cusack, who was a Catholic Bishop, was buried in a special tomb. John Bellew, 1st Baron Bellew of Duleek was also buried here. He died from injuries he received in a battle. His son, Richard Bellew, 3rd Baron Bellew of Duleek, was also laid to rest here. In 1816, a new church, Saint Kienan's, was built right next to the old abbey.
What Remains of the Abbey Today?
Today, only the south aisle and the tower are left. The tower is four stories tall. It has strong corners called quoins and walls that get wider at the bottom, known as battered walls. It also has battlements (parts of a wall with openings for defense), a small cupboard called an aumbry, and a small tower with stairs.
The east window is from 1587. It has a style that came after the Gothic period. Below this window, you can see the family symbols of Sir John Bellew and Dame Ismay Nugent. On the north wall of the old bell tower, you can still see the outline of where the ancient round tower once stood.
