The Cistercian Abbey
Photograph of Cistercian Abbey in Abbeyshrule
This is a photograph of the Cistercian abbey in Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford as it is today.
Image courtesy of Longford Library Collection.Photograph of Cistercian Abbey in Abbeyshrule
Image courtesy of Longford Library Collection.
Image courtesy of Longford Library Collection.
Photograph of Cistercian Abbey in Abbeyshrule
This is a photograph of the Cistercian abbey in Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford as it is today.
Image courtesy of Longford Library Collection.The Abbeyshrule Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1150 by the O'Farrells, the local Irish chieftains. It was the fifth Cistercian foundation in Ireland and contains 9,150 acres including 626 acres of water. Its situation on the banks of the River Inny allows for easy access to the islands of Lough Ree, Clonmacnoise and Kilbixy.
The abbey flourished for over 250 years, surviving an attempt to burn it down by an English army in 1476. It was closed by King Henry VIII as part of the Tudor suppression of monasteries. The lands were granted to a succession of owners, including, in 1560, Robert Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. In 1595, it was destroyed in the march of Red Hugh O'Donnell's rebellious army.
Ruins of Cistercian Abbey
This view of the Abbeyshrule Cistercian Abbey includes the graveyard and shows the extent to which the buildings have deteriorated over time.
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.comRuins of Cistercian Abbey
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.com
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.com
Ruins of Cistercian Abbey
This view of the Abbeyshrule Cistercian Abbey includes the graveyard and shows the extent to which the buildings have deteriorated over time.
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.comUnfortunately, efforts to restore the abbey in the 1600s were not successful. Today however, some of the remains of the ancient abbey still exist.
Abbeyshrule Airport
Abbeyshrule Airport in its present form was opened in 1977, having moved from a nearby grass strip which was created in the 1950's. In 1977, they laid a new tarmac runway, giving Longford its only airport.
Abbeyshrule Airfield
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.com
Image courtesy of Abbeyshrule.com
The Abbeyshrule Air Show, which is Ireland's longest running air show, is held annually since 1955.