Kilmallock Abbey is a ruined Dominican priory. Located to the south of Limerick city, the site is a real beauty, with a serious and astonishing charm. Founded in the 6th or 7th century by Saint Mocheallóg, it was devastated by a terrible fire in 1571, at the height of the Desmond Earls’ Rebellions, then partially destroyed in 1648 following the Lord Inchiquin’s assaults. Its ruins still stand today, attracting huge crowds!
Kilmallock Dominican Priory – Ballyhoura – cc
Despite the trials of history and time, Kilmallock Abbey has stood the test of time, and many of its architectural features are still intact. Admission is free, and you can admire the Latin cross structure, the main bell tower and the magnificent windowed pediments.
Today, the church still has some parts intact, and boasts a pretty south transept, pierced by an imposing window added in the 15th century, which must once have been adorned with multicolored stained glass. The site also includes a square main tower, built in 1320, which offers a breathtaking view of the Irish countryside, and was once used by the Dominicans to store valuable relics, as well as numerous manuscripts and illuminated works.
The site offers an exceptional display of architecture: fine openwork carvings on the main walls, and numerous buds and depictions of religious scenes have been carved directly into the stone. You can also admire three magnificent chalices, made especially for Kilmallock Abbey. Made of gold or adorned with jewels, they were once the building’s most prized possessions!
Don’t miss its arches and arched windows: the architectural quality of the building makes Kilmallock Abbey one of the most beautiful abbeys in County Limerick! The place is beautiful, quiet, and some areas are safe enough for you to approach the ruins. But beware: the site is aging, and visits can damage it. Stay safe during your visit!
And don’t miss the typical cemetery, with its Celtic crosses and tombs scattered everywhere. The cemetery is home to the grave of a famous 18th-century Irish writer: Andrias Mac Craith (Mangaire Súgach in Gaelic).
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