Muckross Abbey
In my last post I mentioned I would be posting a more focused piece about Muckross Abbey. Well, here it is. In keeping with the nature of this blog, I will be minimising the words and trying to let the photos do the talking.
The Franciscan friary of Irrelagh, now known as Muckross Abbey is one of the major ecclesiastical sites found in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland. It was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor.
It has had a violent history and has been damaged and reconstructed many times. The friars were often subjected to raids by marauding groups and were persecuted by Cromwellian forces under Lord Ludlow. Today the abbey is largely roofless although, apart from this, it is generally quite well preserved. Its most striking feature is a central courtyard, which contains a large yew tree (said traditionally to be as old as the Abbey) and is surrounded by a vaulted cloister with an arcade of arches.
The avenue leading from the main road to the Abbey.
First view of the Abbey from the avenue.
Looking back along the avenue.
General view of the Abbey from the surrounding graveyard.
The Nave.
Entrance doorway to the Nave.
Cross in the South Transept.
Interior detail in the Nave.
Window in the South Transept.
Window in the Chancel.
The Yew Tree in the square courtyard.
Vaulted cloister around the courtyard.
The Abbey graveyard, which is still in use today.
View across the graveyard towards Muckross Lake.
Outside wall of the Chancel.
It looks as if it could stand for another 700 years John. Excellent shots, especially with those glowering skies and many shades of green. It’s quite easy to imagine the Abbey in its pomp.
Thanks Roy. It didn’t take long for the dark skies to shed a little rain on the scene – not enough to stop the photography though!