Tour of Monastic Sites of Lorrha Village

1500 years of Lorrha Monastic Village history -Tales of High Kings & Vikings, Chieftains & Heathens. Myths of monks, monsters, murders, & magic. The tour covers the three Monastic sites - 11th century Great Stone Church of Lorrha, 13th century Dominican Priory, 15th century Augustinian Priory, Motte & Bailey, Holy well & bullaun Stones. The Great Stone Church of Lorrha (c.1000 A.D.) Dedicated to St. Ruadhan and built as a shrine Church to the earlier wooden church. Referred to in the Annals of Innisfallen under the year 1037AD, ‘Cu Chaille, son of Ceinnetaig, King of Musgraige, with his son was slain in front of the church at Lorrha after he had been taken from the altar’. The church was modified in the 13th century and 15th century. The 15th century archway has motifs including vine leaves, rose motifs and a pelican drawing blood from its breast. This site has nearly 1500 years of worship. Augustinian Priory - The Augustinian rules were adopted in Lorrha in the 12th century. The priory itself was built sometime in the 15th century. The O’Kennedy’s, local chieftains of Muscraige Tire were the main patrons of this priory. In 1599 Prior O’Hogan was slew by Ruairi O’Kennedy for intervening in a family dispute. According to local folklore, he was cursed and expelled to Wexford and is said to be the ancestor of John F. Kennedy. In the 1880’s, a pisicina was removed from this priory to the church of the Immaculate Conception in Minneapolis. The priory contains medieval grave slabs, a consecration stone and an early Christian sandstone cross-slab utilised as a shelf. Dominican Priory was founded in 1269 by Walter de Burgo. An indulgence was granted in 1401 for its repair. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1552, John Hogan was granted the lease of the Dominican priory as well as the previous mentioned Augustinian priory. In 1688, a provincial chapter was held here. The last mention of the Dominicans in Lorrha was in 1814.

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Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

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