Errew Abbey
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox monastery
| name = Errew Abbey
| other_names = Aireach-lochacon; Aired-locha-con; Erew; Loch Conn; Oired; Oreab;
| native_name = Mainistir Oiridh
| native_name_lang = ga
| image = ErrewAbbey.jpg
| caption = External view of the ruins of Errew Abbey
| order = Augustinians
| founder = Tigernan of Errew
| established = c. AD 500–520
| disestablished = 1585
| diocese = Killala
| status = ruined
| style = Cistercian
| people =
| location = Errew, Castlehill, County Mayo
| coordinates = {{coord|54.053131|-9.263349|region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = Ireland
| public_access = yes
| mother = Crossmolina Priory
| website =
| remains =
| heritage_designation =
| embedded = {{Infobox designation list|embed=yes
| designation1 = National Monument of Ireland
| designation1_number = 307
| designation1_offname = Errew Abbey
}}
}}
Errew Abbey is a former Augustinian monastery and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000320165|title=Holdings: Errew Abbey, Co. Mayo|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3MQ_AAAAcAAJ&q=Errew+Abbey&pg=PA438|title=A topographical dictionary of Ireland: comprising the several counties, cities, boroughs corporate, market, and post towns, parishes and villages ... : With an appendix describing the electoral boundaries of the several boroughs as defined by the act of the 2d. and 3d. of William IV.|first=Samuel|last=Lewis|date=1 January 1840|publisher=Lewis|via=Google Books}}
Location
Errew Abbey is located on a peninsula stretching into Lough Conn. Templenagalliaghdoo lies immediately to the north.{{cite book |last=Meehan |first=Cary |date=2004 |title=Sacred Ireland |url= |location=Somerset |publisher=Gothic Image Publications |page=632|isbn=0 906362 43 1 |access-date=}}
History
Tigernan of Errew is said to have founded a monastery here in the early 6th century. It was originally called "Mainistir Taobh Thiar do Shruth", "the abbey on the west side of the stream". Up to 1,400 students from all over Europe are claimed to have studied there.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
It was refounded by the Barretts in the 12th/13th century.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
Thomas Barrett, Bishop of Elphin, was buried here in 1404. In 1413 the Barretts founded an abbey for the Augustinian Canons, dedicated to the Virgin Mary; they seem to have made use of the buildings from the earlier foundation. Rather than a true abbey, it was more likely a priory cell dependent on Crossmolina Abbey.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
In 1413, McWattin Barrett violated the sanctuary of Errew to seize Henry Barrett who had taken refuge there. Saint Tigernan is said to have appeared to McWattin every night until he promised to make amends; he gave the abbey an éraic of a quarter of land (ceathrú mír, about 120 acres) at Ballinbraher (Friarstown).{{fact|date=November 2021}}
A family called O'Flynn were erenachs of the lands at Errew and came into the possession of Mias Tighernain, a paten said to have belonged to Tigernan.{{cite web|url=http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/en/towns-villages/crossmolina/history/errew-abbey.html|title=Errew Abbey, Crossmolina Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland - mayo-ireland.ie|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mayolibrary.ie/en/LocalStudies/IrishTouristAssociationSurvey/Crossmolina/Antiquities/|title=Antiquities|first=Mayo County Library|last=Service|publisher=}}
Errew Abbey was dissolved in 1585.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
Building
There is a long rectangular church, measuring 27 × 7 m (90' by 22') which has retained some trefoil-headed windows, two sedilia and a piscina. The east side of the cloister is well-preserved, but it does not have the typical open arcade.{{cite web|url=http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/mayo/errew/errewabbey.html|title=Errew Abbey|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crossmolina.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141&Itemid=1084|title=Errew Abbey|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=903&i=25|title=Errew Abbey|publisher=}}
Gallery
File:Errew Abbey 0012.jpg
File:Errew Abbey 0016.jpg
File:Errew Abbey 0020.jpg