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Mungret Monastery


Ruins on the site of St Nessan's monastery
© Ruins on the site of St Nessan's monastery

St Nessan founded the monastery in Mungret. According to 'Limerick, the Rich Land', the monastery had six churches and 1500 monks. The abbey was founded in the 6th century. The monastery was plundered on several occasions throughout its existence, three times in the ninth century by the Vikings and once by a local chief Murtagh O'Brien in 1107. In 1179, the King of Munster, Donal Mór O'Brien, granted the monastery and its lands to the Bishop of Limerick, Brictius. The monks of Mungret Abbey were the Canons Regular of the Order of Augustine in the 12th century onward.

According to the Psalter of Cashel, this monastery had six churches within its walls. The Psalter of Cashel disappeared from Cashel after Murrough O'Brien attacked Cashel in 1647.

Extensive ruins remain today, although nothing remains of the original 6th century monastery. These include a small 12th century church, and a ruin known as 'the Abbey', which consists of the nave and chancel of the church. Burial grounds surround all of the ruins.

Oldest church ruin
© Oldest church ruin

The oldest church ruin is located in the smallest section of the graveyard, across the road from the main graveyard. This church is believed to have originated between 800-1100.

Ruin of St Nessan's church
© Ruin of St Nessan's church

St Nessan's church is believed to have been built before 1100. It is located on the left of the road from Limerick. This ruin is covered by ivy. The oldest of the three abbey building is by the roadside. The window on the east side is from the 12th century but the church dates from the 10th century.

The 'Abbey' ruin
© The 'Abbey' ruin

The largest of the ruins is that of the Abbey. It was built between 1251 and 1272. The ruin is divided into three parts, the chancel to the east, which dates from the 13th century, the nave in the centre, the date of which is unknown, and the western portion of the ruin, which dates from the fifteenth century. There is a tower on the northern side of what was once the priests' residence.

The Abbey was used as a Protestant church until 1822. The Board of Works carried out repair work on the ruins in 1932. The surrounding graveyard is still in use and has been extended in the past 25-30 years.

Mainchín Seoighe relates an interesting story about the Wise Women of Mungret. Mungret was renowned as a monastic school and seat of learning. A contest had been arranged between Mungret and another famous monastic school, to decide which monastery had the more learned scholars. The visiting monks were from Lismore in Co. Waterford.

The monks of Mungret, not wishing to be defeated in the contest, devised a plan to intimidate the opposition. A number of them dressed up as women on the day of the contest, and began washing clothes near a ford that the other monks would have to cross. One of the monks asked a washerwoman for directions to the monastery in Irish. The 'washerwoman' replied in flawless Latin. A second 'washerwoman' gave more information in flawless Greek. The monks decided that if the washerwomen were fluent in Greek and Latin, then the learned scholars of the monastery would surely defeat them in the contest. They returned home, leaving Mungret monastery unchallenged.

Raheen Church | Mungret Church | Crecora Church |
Church Ruins
| Mungret Monastery

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