The Bonamargy Friary is a small, ruined Irish monastery located at the entrance to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland. Founded in the 15th century, this monastery was in fact a Franciscan convent, which welcomed a prophet within its walls, as well as the remains of a great Irish chieftain… A place steeped in history and mystery, and waiting to be discovered!
The Bonamargy convent was founded in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan, a wealthy Irish chieftain, famous at the time for his pronounced rivalry with another Irish family: the McDonnell clan.
The monastery includes a small chapel. The entrance is marked by a 2-storey gatehouse that opens onto 2 rooms (one of which was used by the monks to work). On the 2nd floor was the dormitory, where the men rested after their day of worship and labor.
The church boasts a small altar where the remains of the famous chief Sorley Boy MacDonnell are preserved, as well as the bodies of several Earls of Antrim who wished to rest there.
History also tells us that the convent was home to a 17th-century prophet: Julie MacQuillen, known as“The Black Nun“. She was buried at the west end of the monastery’s main church. A Celtic cross with a hole in its center indicates its presence.
It was in this convent that 4 valuable manuscripts were found in an old oak chest in 1822. One of these manuscripts devotes its narrative to “La vie du Christ de Saint Bonaventures” and/or “Une histoire des saintes Écritures”. Another manuscript contained a large part of one of the main theological works of Saint Thomas Aquinas, written on vellum, in Latin, on around 600 pages. The earliest date shown is 1338, the latest 1380. It originally belonged to the monastery of Saint-Antoine d’Amiens in France.
Adresse :
GPS :
Tour duration :
Rates : 
Opening hours :
daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
4.00/5 (4 votes)
