Burrishoole Abbey

About this place

Burrishoole Friary (Irish: Minister Bhuiríos Umhaill) was a Dominican friary in County Mayo, Ireland, located a few kilometers west of the town of Newport, County Mayo. Its ruin is a National Monument. Burrishoole Friary was founded c. 1469 by Richard de Burgo of Turlough, Lord MacWilliam Oughter. It was built without the permission of Pope Paul II (term 1464–1471). In 1486, Pope Innocent VIII (term 1484–1492) instructed Uilliam Seóighe, the Archbishop of Tuam (term 1485–1501) to forgive the friars. The church and the eastern wall of the cloister remain. The grounds of the friary are an actively used cemetery. The Friary is often called "Burrishoole Abbey", although this colloquial name is inaccurate because the Dominican order did not have abbots; Dominican houses are not technically abbeys.

Visitor Information

Heritage status

Protected Heritage Site

Getting There & Parking

Burrishoole Abbey is located in County Mayo, roughly 99 km (1h 25m drive) from Galway and 290 km (4h 15m) from Dublin. The nearest public car park is 60 m away. Nearby highlights within a short drive include Rockfleet Castle (3.6 km away).