Timoleague Abbey

Timoleague Abbey is a 13th century Franciscan Abbey in Timoleague village on the south coast of County Cork near Courtmacsherry.  The abbey was founded in c1300 on the site of a 6th century monastic settlement founded by Saint Molaga after whom the village is named – The Irish for “House of Molaga” is ‘Tigh Molaga’.

The information plaques at the site read as follows:

“The friary was founded in the late 13th or early 14th century. The Franciscan friars who lived here devoted themselves to the strict rules of poverty and simplicity as laid down by St. Francis, so the architectural details of the building are quite plain. The earliest church was smaller than the present one but was extended when the tower was built in about 1500 by the Franciscan Bishop of Ross, Edmund de Courcy. On the west side of the cloister was the kitchen, and at the north-east side a dining room with 5 windows overlooking the sea.

After the reformation some of the friars returned to Timoleague and lived there on and off until 1642, when the friary and town were burnt by English soldiers under Lord Forbes.”

• c1300 – Founded by the Franciscans on the site of an ancient monastery of St. Molga. Endowed by the Barrys and the McCarthys who are buried here.
• 1480 – Book of MacCarthaigh Riabhach of Kilbrittain otherwise known as the Book of Lismore written here.
• 1495 – Edmund DeCourcey O.F.M., Bishop of Clogher, became Bishop of Ross resided here: built the tower, dormitary, infirmary and library.
• 1601 – Battle of Kinsale: friary under threat from both sides as some of the Barrys and the McCarthys joined Hugh O’Neill’s rebellion while others remained loyal to Queen Elizabeth.
• 1603 – Burial of Eoghan MacEgan , bishop-elect of Ross, killed in battle against the forces of the Queen.
• 1620 – School of Philosophy established.
• c1633 – Timoleague Chalice made in London, later lost but re-discovered in cape Clear in the 1850s: still in use.
• 1639 – Visit of Michael O’Cleiraigh, one of the Four Masters, to copy from the Book of Lismore.
• 1642 – Burned down by Cromwellian forces.
• 1813 – Sean O’Coileain wrote the poem Machnamh an Duine Dhoiliosaigh (Caoineadh Thigh Molaige) Reflections of the Melancholy Person (Lament for Timoleague) lamenting the destruction of the friary.

In August each year the village hosts the ten day Timoleague Harvest Festival.

If you are interested in walking you should investigate the extensive Seven Heads Walks on the Seven Heads Peninsula which extends from Timoleague village through Courtmacsherry, along the cliffs and coastline by Dunworley Bay, Barryscove, Ardgehane and Ballinglanna. Of the many prescribed walks there is a short loop walk signposted as The Lusitania Trail which you can pick up in Timoleague.

The next stop on the Wild Atlantic Way route is Inchdoney Beach, a 20 minute drive from here.