ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH WESTPORT'S MONASTIC PAST
We are trully blessed to have such magnificient examples of historically significant religious architecture on our doorstep.
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These beautiful abbeys will raise the hairs on your neck and fill your soul with a sense of wonder. Christian or not, visitors find themselves besotted with these buildings, their heritage and their history.
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VISIT
- Ballintubber Abbey, only a 20min drive from westport, the abbey was founded in 1216 and is one of Ireland's most remarkable ecclesiastical sites. Known as "the Abbey that refused to die", despite being damaged and surpressed over more than 800 years. Popular wedding venue, the abbey hosted several high- profile ceromonies among them was the wedding of Pierce Brosnan, Irish actor best known for playing James Bond.
- Aughagower Abbey, just 6km outside Westport, sits the pretty village of Aughagower visited by St Patrick in 441 on his way to Croagh Patrick. The ruins of the medieval abbey lie in the centre of the village beside its stunning round tower built between 973 and 1013.
- Burrishoole Abbey, situated 15km outside Westport, this National Monument was founded in 1469 by Sir Richard Burke, his grandson married the great grand aunt of 16th century Queen Pirate Grainne O'Malley.
- Murrisk Abbey, located at the foot of Croagh Patrick and overlooking the seas of Clew Bay, the abbey was built in 1457 by the O'Malley family, on the site of a church founded by St Patrick.
- Clare Island Abbey, also known as St Bridgid's Abbey, is a medieval church founded in the 12th century (rebuilt around 1460). Its rare medieval roof paintings, well preserved, are the best in the country as only 5 examples of medieval wall paintings still exist in Ireland. It is also the burial site of Grainne O'Malley, a final resting place fit for a pirate Queen.