Boyle Abbey

Daughter monasteries

Assaroe Abbey ( 1178 ) Knockmoy Abbey ( 1190 )

Boyle Abbey ( Irish Mainistir na Búille ) is just outside the town of Boyle, County Roscommon, near the homonymous river and the N4 road from Dublin to Sligo. It is a subsidiary foundation of Mellifont in County Louth and although the buildings have suffered greatly under the English occupation, an impressive example of a Cistercian abbey dating from the early 13th century.

Description

The floor plan of Boyle largely corresponds to the other Cistercian monasteries. The cruciform church consists of a short chorus, a northern and southern transept with two side chapels and the stately three-aisled nave.

The south side of the nave has pointed arches, the north side arches. Some arches of the southern seem to belong to the older part of the nave (probably around 1180 ). The arches of the north side are likely to be younger (ca. 1190-1200 ). They are tapered, a form which is between Romanesque and Gothic architecture and an example of the transition style is called.

The church was consecrated in 1218, but possibly the western part of the nave was not completed until later. The abbey is similar in ground plan of the architecture as it developed Bernard of Clairvaux. The imitative outer walls of the nave have virtually disappeared, only their history can still be traced. Some capitals show mythical creatures, similar to the works of art of the Irish transitional style in the Abbey of Ballintubber, County Mayo. They are unusual for Cistercian buildings, but typical of the west of Ireland. The west side of the church with the single lancet is early Gothic. The numerous columns bundle on the sides have resemblance to the Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. It is claimed that it is work of the same master. Without a doubt, this style is a throwback to western English models. The choir was probably built directly after the arrival of the monks in 1161.

The tapered barrel vault is typical Cistercian and dates, as well as the pointed chancel arch and the entrances to the side chapels in the transept of models from Burgundy. The three lancets in the east window are the result of a change in the 13th century. The original arched windows, which were originally created and also probably smaller in double rows are still to be seen in the north transept. There is no doubt that in Boyle, has existed at a crossing tower contrary to the regulations of the Cistercians, from the beginning, although a part of the present tower, judging by the windows, is more recent, probably he was raised in 1300. Cistercian towers are mostly buildings of the 15th century.

From the covered portico which led earlier to the yard, nothing has been preserved. The sacristy was but far back of Elizabeth I, as a part of their army was stationed here, greatly changed. South of the sacristy is still a part of the entrance to see the chapter house. Of the other southern parts of the building is obtained because of the modifications to the barracks little. The danger of collapse north wall is currently being extensively restored and given a new foundation. Thus, the Besichtigungsmöglichekiten are severely limited.

History

Boyle Abbey was founded by monks from Mellifont, the finding after three failed attempts a place, finally settled in 1161 in Boyle. A founder is unknown, but the MacDermots, the Lords of Moylurg in north County Roscommon, were the patrons of the monastery. The Abbot of Boyle was a key figure in the conspiracy of Mellifont of 1227, a power struggle between the Anglo-Norman and Irish houses of the Cistercian order. Boyle was a leader on the Irish side, his abbot was then sold together with other representatives of the Irish side.

1235 Boyle was sacked by William de Burgo de Mortaigne. The monastery was then cut loose from Mellifont and directly affiliated to Clairvaux. Until the 15th century it lost its importance. An abbot of Mellifont reported that Mellifont and Dublin, the only Cistercian monasteries were, in which the monks lived according to the rules of the order. The monastery may have survived until the year 1589 when it was leased to William Usher. Hugh O'Neill besieged Boyle in 1595 and 1603 the monastery to Sir John King was given, whose descendants occupied it until the 19th century. From the era of Elizabeth I to the end of the 18th century the army was housed in Boyle Abbey.

7161
de