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Turlough Abbey
Mainistir Thurlaigh
TurloughRoundTower.jpg
Turlough Abbey is located in Ireland
Turlough Abbey
Location in Ireland
Monastery information
Established c. AD 500–520
Disestablished 1635
Diocese Tuam
People
Founder(s) Saint Patrick
Architecture
Status ruined
Heritage designation
Designations
Official name Turlough Church & Round Tower
Reference no. 100
Site
Location Turlough, County Mayo
Coordinates 53°53′19″N 9°12′30″W / 53.888741°N 9.208270°W / 53.888741; -9.208270
Visible remains church and round tower
Public access yes

Turlough Abbey is a former monastery and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.

Location

Turlough Abbey is located about 600 m (650 yd) northeast of Turlough village.

History

Turlough Church Round Tower at Sunset
Turlough church and round tower at sunset
Portrait of Turlough Round Tower
Turlough round tower

Turlough is an early monastic site, possibly founded in AD 441 by Saint Patrick.

In the ninth century an unusual low and squat round tower was constructed at the site.

In 1302 the Abbey was valued for the ecclesiastical taxation of Ireland. The Abbey survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries and a crucifixion plaque dated 1625 is an example of Counter-Reformation iconography.

The Abbey was finally dissolved and granted to Walter Burke or John Fitzgerald by King Charles I in 1635.

The site passed to the Fitzgeralds in 1653 and they were presumably responsible for the 18th century cruciform church with three round-headed windows in the chancel. Three crucifixion plaques have been built into the church. There is also the tomb of George Robert Fitzgerald dated 1786.

Buildings

The round tower is relatively low at 23 m (75 ft) tall, and wide with a rounded-headed doorway and four square-headed windows. It has a round-headed doorway 4 m (13 ft) above ground level.

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