QUIN ABBEY
Quin, County Clare

Until 1278, a timber church stood on the location of the current abbey. At this time, Richard "Strongbow" de Clare (the leader of the first Norman's in Ireland) razed the church and built a stone keep in its place. The castle included several round towers, parts of which still survive today.

In 1336 the castle was ransacked, and by 1350 a stone church was built. The construction of the church is unique in Ireland as is surrounds the castle, incorporating the keep into the overall architecture of the church.

In 1433, when Franciscan's were brought to Quin, the church was updated to what you will see today upon visiting.

Visitors will enter through the original keep door. The lower section of the back of

the keep was removed to provide a grand entrance into the church. Passageways and stairwells are all over the site, allowing access to the upper floor, which include the original dormitory. From the upper floor, the original tower and bawn wall foundations can be seen surrounding the church.

Within the church, visitors will see the original cloister. The corridor that surrounds it is paved with many of the headstones and grave markers of prominent local figures, including priests and other dignitaries of their time. In the Summer months, migrating swallows build their nests high up on the walls and along jutting stones. Crows often nest in open holes in the walls.

Another example of a castle being incorporated into a church is at the famous Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary.

There is a visitors center located near the abbey, where guests are encouraged to begin their visit. While the abbey is in ruin and open to the public, the graveyard surrounding the abbey is still in use, as these are still consecrated grounds. Guests are encouraged to respect the privacy of those holding a burial service.

Quin Abbey is 13 kilometers (8 miles) Southeast of Ennis and well worth a visit.

~ Free car parking available
~ Public property, please respect locals in the graveyard
~ Access limited to lower level
~ Use caution, as this is a ruin - resident crows may loosen stones