Youghal Priory facts for kids
St John's House was an old Irish monastery built in the 1100s. It was located right in the middle of Youghal, a town in County Cork, Ireland. Monks from the Benedictine order lived and worked there. People sometimes called it Youghal Priory, as there were other religious buildings in the town with similar names.
Contents
A Look at Its History
How St John's House Began
St John's House was first built in 1185 on Main Street in Youghal. It was like a branch of another important monastery, St. John Priory in Waterford. That Waterford monastery was a "double monastery," meaning it had both monks and nuns. It also acted as a hospital, caring for people who were sick. The Youghal monastery also helped the sick.
What Happened to the Monastery?
St John's House served as a hospital for many years. It helped people until a big change happened in history. This change was called the "Dissolution of the Monasteries." During this time, many monasteries in Ireland and England were closed down.
Oliver Cromwell's Visit
Later, in the winter of 1649, a famous leader named Oliver Cromwell used St John's House as his main base. He was in Youghal with his soldiers. Every morning, he would check on his troops from the monastery building.
What You Can Still See Today
Even though St John's House is very old, some parts of the building are still standing. You can see a beautiful old doorway with a special "Gothic" design. There are also decorative stone carvings called "spandrels" and an "ambry," which was a small cupboard built into the wall. If you walk through the archway beyond the door, you'll be in a passage that was part of the original monastery.
More Places to Explore
- Monasteries in County Cork
- North Abbey, Youghal
- South Abbey, Youghal
