Burriscarra Abbey lies close to the shores of Lough Carra, in County Mayo. As soon as you climb over the stone style into the grounds of the abbey you get a sense of history. The place seems particularly peaceful, you are surrounded by the abbey ruins, a church ruin and gravestones, old and new. The oldest one recorded with a date was 1738, but older were without dates were also present.
The site has a long and mixed history. The Carmelites founded the abbey in 1298, though there may have been an earlier monastery. In 1383, it was abandoned but by 1412 it was transferred to the Augustinian Friars of Ballinrobe by papal degree. Around 1430, it was burnt but was rebuilt shortly afterwards with funds collected from the local population. The present ruins are thought to date from this rebuilding.
I wonder what is the significance of these gargoyles? It amazes me to think someone created them over 500 years ago!
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What a sense of history. I’m amazed that they were able to collect enough money from the local people to re-build. But then the Church was their whole life. Thought the gargoyles weren’t terribly frightening but then from 15th century eyes..
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I suspect the locals “had” to give what ever they could – maybe free labour?
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Such an interesting site, I would love to go there.
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I do like old buildings and ruins – they are a link to the past.
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Wonderful photos of this amazing site. So envious of your ruins!
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It is one thing we have plenty of here in Ireland – and all sorts, abbeys, castles, forts etc
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Lucky you!
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Imagine what life must have been like back then!
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These really capture the imagination of the past and look mysterious now!
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There is a story there isn’t there, or a few stories.
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I remember seeing such old buildings when I lived in Germany as a child. I loved seeing the castles. Nothing like that in the U.S.
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They are wonderful places to explore and imagine the past:)
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