Athenry Abbey
{{Short description|Mediaeval priory in County Galway, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox monastery
| name = The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Athenry
| other_names = Ath-na-riogh; Ath-na-rig; Anry
| native_name = Prióireacht Peadar agus Pól, Baile Átha an Rí
| native_name_lang = ga
| image = Athenry Priory East Window 2009 09 13.jpg
| caption = East window
| order = Dominican Order
| founder = Meyler de Bermingham
| established = 1241
| disestablished = 1574; 1698
| diocese = Tuam
| status = ruined
| style = Late Gothic
| people =
| location = Abbey Row, Athenry, County Galway
| coordinates = {{coord|53.298236|-8.744544|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = Ireland
| public_access = yes
| mother =
| remains =
| embedded = {{Infobox designation list
| embed =yes
| designation2 = National Monument of Ireland
| designation2_offname = Athenry Abbey
| designation2_number = 164
}}
}}
The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Athenry, also called Athenry Priory, is a medieval Dominican priory and National Monument located in Athenry, Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4602674/4594345/4615630|title=Athenry Abbey|website=dúchas.ie}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yf2dAQAACAAJ&q=Athenry+Abbey|title=Athenry Abbey|first=Martin Joseph|last=Blake|publisher=|via=Google Books}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7r5BAQAAMAAJ&q=Athenry+Abbey&pg=PA95|title=A System of Geography: Ancient and Modern|first=James|last=Playfair|date=17 April 2018|publisher=P. Hill|via=Google Books}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XXMYMmJ3aNwC&q=Athenry+Abbey&pg=PP37|title=4A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland ... Being a Continuation of the Topography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|first=Nicholas|last=Carlisle|date=17 April 2018|publisher=Miller|via=Google Books}}
Location
Athenry Abbey is located in the eastern part of Athenry, east of the Clarinbridge River.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5eQBAAAAcAAJ&q=Athenry+Abbey&pg=PA450|title=History of the Irish Hierarchy: With the Monasteries of Each County, Biographical Notices of the Irish Saints, Prelates, and Religious|first=Thom|last=Walsh|date=17 April 2018|publisher=Sadlier|via=Google Books}}{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/irishdominicans00colegoog|quote=Athenry Abbey.|title=The Irish Dominicans of the Seventeenth Century|year=1902|first=Rev John|last=O'Heyne|publisher=W. Tempest|via=Internet Archive}}
History
Meyler de Bermingham was the founder in 1241.{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2012/co-galway-athenry-abbey-1786/|title=1241 - Athenry Abbey, Co. Galway - Architecture of Galway - Archiseek - Irish Architecture|date=9 November 2012|publisher=}} Other local notables funded it: Feidlim Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht built the refectory; Owen Ó hEidhin (King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne) built the dormitory and Conchobar Ó Cellaigh of Uí Maine the chapter house. The priory initially stood on the edge of the town walls, but was later enveloped by them.
A provincial chapter was held at Athenry in 1242. Flann Mac Flainn, Archbishop of Tuam, built a house for scholars in the 1250s. Founder Meyler was buried in the priory in 1252. His son William de Bermingham was Archbishop of Tuam; he had a dispute with the monastery in 1297 but was buried there in 1312.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
The refectory (now destroyed) was built around 1265, with the chapel completed before 1340.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
In 1324, William Liath de Burgh left money to enlarge the church and priory, a task completed by 1345. Joanna de Ruffur died in 1408 and left money to construct a new east window and windows in the choir.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
Athenry Priory was burned in 1423; indulgences were granted by Pope Martin V and Pope Eugene IV to those who contributed to its repair. 1451, the friars built a chapel on land north of the river at Carrowardahrah, granted by Ulick Ruadh Burke.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
The monastery was dissolved in 1574.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
Athenry Abbey was burned during the uprising of William mac an Iarla Burke in the 1570s. Regular Observant Friars reoccupied it 1595–7.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
In the 1640s the historian James Ware acquired the Register of the priory.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
Athenry was re-revived as a university in 1644, before being shut down by Cromwellians in 1652. The friars last occupied Athenry priory between 1685 and 1698.{{fact|date=June 2020}}
In the 18th century the priory was used as a military barracks. The last de Bermingham to be buried at Athenry was Lady Mathilda Bermingham (d. 1788).{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/vandalism-of-18th-century-tomb-investigated-1.1103536|title=Vandalism of 18th-century tomb investigated|publisher=}} The tower collapsed around 1790. Lady Mathilda's tomb, a Coade stone monument, was broken into in 2002, perhaps by thieves.{{cite web|url=http://monastic.ie/history/athenry-dominican-priory/|title=Athenry Dominican Priory - Monastic Ireland|website=monastic.ie}}
Clerics Associated with Athenry Abbey
- Dominic de Burgo (Dominic Burke) OP, Bishop of Elphin, professed in Athenry in 1648
- Dominic Burke OP, returned to Athenry as Prior in 1642
- Edmund Bourke OP, priest and academic, processed in Athenry in 1683
- Thomas Burke OP, served as prior in San Sisto Rome, before serving as Prior in Athenry (1687-1698)
- William Burke OP, provincial of the order, served as Prior of Athenry
- Gerald Davok, STM OP, prior of Athenry 1663
Buildings
The remains consist of nave, chancel and a northern aisle and transept, and tombs from the 13th–15th centuries.
The tall lancet windows in the chancel are probably 13th century while the remainder is 14th century.{{cite web|url=http://www.athenryheritagecentre.com/index.php/athenry-history/dominican-priory-history|title=Dominican Priory History|website=www.athenryheritagecentre.com}}{{cite web|url=http://historicgraves.com/blog/places/dominican-priory-athenry|title=The Dominican Priory in Athenry - Historic Graves Blog|website=historicgraves.com}}
File:Athenry Abbey 2.jpg|The abbey in winter
File:Athenry Sunset 20121022 0001b.jpg|Sunset over the abbey church
File:Athenry Abbey, Co.Galway.JPG|Another view