Clontuskert Abbey
Description
Clontuskert Abbey is a medieval Augustinian priory and National Monument located in County Galway. This was an early monastic site, founded c. AD 800 by Saint Boedan and then located in the kingdom of Uí Maine. It should not be confused with Cloontuskert, located near Lanesborough and founded by Faithleach in the 6th century.
The Priory of St Mary, a priory of the Canons Regular, was founded for the Arroasian Order by the Ó Ceallaigh family c. 1180. It was built in the claustral plan in which the church and domestic buildings are arranged around a central cloister garth.
It burned down in 1404. It was soon rebuilt, with ten-year indulgences granted to those who paid for the reconstruction. This included the great four-order west doorway, erected 1471. The O'Kellys continued to influence appointment of the prior. In 1444, prior Breasal O'Kelly died in battle. In 1473, prior Donatus O'Kelly was accused of homicide and keeping a concubine.
Clontuskert was dissolved in 1562 and the land passed to the Burkes, although some monks remained until some time after 1637.
Buildings
The buildings feature nave, chancel, rood screen, transepts, cloister, chapter room, sacristy, cellars, an oven and a vaulted room in the southeast.
The great west doorway features many carvings, including Michael the Archangel with a sword and the scales for weighing souls; Saints Augustine of Hippo standing on a serpent, Catherine of Alexandria and John the Baptist; a pelican feeding her young; a pair of griffins; and a mermaid with a mirror. The mermaid is similar to one at Clonfert Cathedral, while the doorway is similar to the one at Clonmacnoise.