Moore's Abbey

Situated a mile outside Galbally in the Glen of Aherlow, Moore's Abbey was founded as a Franciscan house in the 13th Century. Its founder was Donough Cairbreach O'Brien, King of Thomond, and construction is believed to have begun on the Abbey in 1204. The building that remains today, however, dates from the 15th Century, and reference is made in the Annals of the Four Masters to the commencement of building of a monastery for Franciscans in 1471. It was destroyed by fire the following year.

After the dissolution of the monasteries the Abbey was sold to John of Desmond for £15, at an annual rent of 4d. In 1569 it was again burned, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and it appears that some friars were still operating out of the Abbey at that time. They were not to spend much longer in the Friary, however, as the next year, 1570, it was attacked by Sir Henry Sidney. Three of the monks took refuge in the tower, only to be discovered and murdered. At some stage later during the Elizabethan Wars the Abbey served as a fortress for a time.

The ruin is now a national monument, under the care of the Office of Public Works.

Source - Doyle, "Fragments"