Turlough Abbey facts for kids
| Mainistir Thurlaigh | |||||||||||
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |||||||||||
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| Established | c. AD 500–520 | ||||||||||
| Disestablished | 1635 | ||||||||||
| Diocese | Tuam | ||||||||||
| People | |||||||||||
| Founder(s) | Saint Patrick | ||||||||||
| Architecture | |||||||||||
| Status | ruined | ||||||||||
| Heritage designation |
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| Site | |||||||||||
| Location | Turlough, County Mayo | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 53°53′19″N 9°12′30″W / 53.888741°N 9.208270°W | ||||||||||
| Visible remains | church and round tower | ||||||||||
| Public access | yes | ||||||||||
Turlough Abbey is an old monastery site in County Mayo, Ireland. It is now a National Monument, which means it is a very important historical place. This special site includes the remains of a church and a tall, round tower.
Contents
Where is Turlough Abbey?
Turlough Abbey is found in County Mayo, Ireland. It is located about 600 meters (650 yards) northeast of the small village of Turlough.
The History of Turlough Abbey
Turlough is a very old religious site. It might have been started around the year 441 AD. Some people believe that Saint Patrick himself founded this monastery.
Building the Round Tower
In the 800s, a unique round tower was built here. This tower is shorter and wider than many other Irish round towers. It has a special doorway and windows.
Later Years of the Abbey
In 1302, the Abbey was officially valued for taxes. It managed to survive a big change in England called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when many monasteries were closed down.
A special plaque from 1625 shows that the Abbey was still active. However, in 1635, the Abbey was finally closed. King Charles I gave the land to Walter Burke or John Fitzgerald.
New Owners and Changes
The site then went to the Fitzgerald family in 1653. They likely built the church that stands there today. This church was built in the 1700s. It has a cross shape and three round-headed windows. Inside the church, there are three old plaques showing the crucifixion.
What You Can See Today
The most famous part of Turlough Abbey is its round tower. It stands about 23 meters (75 feet) tall. The tower is quite wide for its height.
Features of the Tower
The tower has a round-headed doorway. This doorway is about 4 meters (13 feet) above the ground. It also has four windows that are square-headed.
