Abbey of Aghaboe

The monastery Aghaboe (Irish Achadh Bó, English Aghaboe Priory, in relation to the early Christian period sometimes called Aghaboe Abbey ) was founded around the year 560 by Canice ( 525-598 ) in what is now County Laois in Ireland, serving from about 1052 to 1111 and 1152-1190, as episcopal of Ossory, 1234 was a priory of Augustinian canons, before finally in 1382 dedicated to Florence Mac Gillapatrick as a Canice priory of the Dominicans was newly established and existed until its abolition in 1540 during the Reformation. The monastery is located in the municipality of the same name.

Geographical location

The former monastery is situated on the R434 midway between Borris in Ossory Durrow and in the south of County Laois on a gently hilly site that slopes to the north. At the time of inception, the monastery was on the important road from Tara to Limerick ( Slige DALA ), through which it was also with Roscrea and Clonenagh in conjunction. More roads existed at the monastery Monaicha ( Green Road ) and Clonfert Molua. The land belonged to the former Kingdom of Ossory, was located at the northern end and was one of the most important ecclesiastical sites in addition Seirkieran and Kilkenny, all of which were temporarily headquarters of the diocese of the same name.

History

In the 11th century the bishopric of Seirkieran joined Aghaboe. Gwynn believed that the change to 1052 occurred when a shrine was built in honor of Canice. The time as a bishop's seat was rather too briefly, as it was already shifting in 1111 by the Synod of Rathbreasail the bishopric for Ossory to Kilkenny. Byrne suggested here that the shift in emphasis from Aghaboe to Kilkenny on the descendants of the King of Leinster Donnchad Mac Gilla Patraic decreased, which were in conflict with the Kingdom of Ossory strengthened. In the Synod of Kells in 1152, however, the bishop's seat was again moved to Aghaboe until he was transferred in 1190 by the bishop Felix O'Dulany final to Kilkenny.

After the 1169 invasion of Ireland beginning forgave Strongbow parts of the lands Aghaboes as fief to Adam de Hereford for the consideration that he placed five knights available. The entire Ossory, belonged to the time of the present south of County Laois and the north of County Kilkenny, came under the rule of the Marshals. The hitherto prevailing Irish family of MacGillapatricks retreated to the north Ossorys back, in the area of Aghaboe, and became a vassal of the Marshals. Under the rule of the Marshals, the monastery was rebuilt in 1234 for the Augustinian canons and used as a parish church. With the help of immigrant settlers from England blossomed Aghaboe to a small town. This should, however, change dramatically when, on May 5, 1346 Dermot MacGillapatrick the place reconquered very bloody. The English, belonging to the Franciscan John Kilkenny Clyn wrote:

"On Friday, May 5th, Dermot MacGillapatrick, the one -eyed, a man much givenName to treacheries and Betrayals, and scrupling little to perjure himself for his convenience in alliances with O'Caroll, burned and destroyed the town of Aghaboe. And what what far worse, like an unnatural son raising his hand against his parents, in his rage, he cruelly burned the church of St. Canice, did most holy abbot and patron of the place, with the shrine and its relics. "

"On Friday, May 5, Aghaboe was burned and destroyed by Dermot MacGillapatrick, the one-eyed man, a man who tends to treachery and betrayal, and few scruples, has to be perjured if it serves the alliance with O'Caroll. And what was even worse, as an unnatural son, who raises his hand against his parents, he has in his rage the Church of St. Canice, the holy abbot and patron saint of the town, burned along with the Shrine and its relics. "

The Reconquest was completed in 1359 when the castle fell into the hands MacGillapatricks.

1382 Florence MacGillapatrick founded the monastery as a house of Dominicans new. This marks the transition from largely founded under the British rulers to such houses under Irish auspices. It remains unclear whether the monastery was built exactly on the basis of the old convent, or whether the parish church ( the Anglican Church built in 1818 later ) occupies this place. The list of priors is preserved and has a high proportion of Irish people, including many of the ruling families of the neighboring territories, but also some from Connacht and Munster. The average number of brothers is estimated to be about 12 to 15, making it one of the more smaller communities. Compared to Athenry the land with only one acre of land was within the monastery walls and about 76 acres and 12 modest houses rather modest, but not quite the ideal of a Mendikantenordens accordingly.

During the Reformation, the monastery was abolished in 1540. The value of buildings and lands in 1541 estimated at 50 shillings and 10 pence. The monastery coincided with the parish building, 1601 Florence Fitzpatrick. The brothers tried, yet continue to remain active on site. However, for Seraphinus Cavalli during his tenure as Grand Master (1571-1635) compiled list of the Irish Dominican monasteries called not Aghaboe. Reported in 1635 by the then Bishop of Ossory, David Rothe, to Rome, that the monastery Aghaboe either already be in ruins or was being used secular.

From the monastery only are the nave and the south transept. From the north wall of the nave foundation walls are still preserved, and from the northern thereof located residential buildings of the monastery nothing remains. Some of the windows in the Gothic tracery executed on the south side of the nave and the east side of the transept were built in 1773 for the private gardens of Frederick Trench in Ballinakill and get there today. The completely overgrown with shrubbery and ivy ruins were prepared in the 1980s in a joint action of local residents. These efforts led to the awarding of a prize in the Competition for Community Achievement ireland wide in March 1989.