Duleek in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
St Mary's Abbey
Duleek Heritage Trail
September 21, 2009
1. St Mary's Abbey Marker
Inscription.
St Mary's Abbey. Duleek Heritage Trail. , One of the great churches of the 12th century, St. Mary's Abbey, was built by the Augustinians on lands presented to them by Hugh de Lacy, Overlord of Meath., In the 1500s a massive square tower was built alongside the earlier round tower. The latter is no longer standing but the ‘scar’ where it was joined onto the square tower is clearly visible on its north side., Within the church are some early cross-slabs, a Romanesque pilaster-capital and the base and head of the South Cross, and some 16th and 17th century monuments. There are also two tombs - one covers the remains of Lord Bellew who was killed in action at the Battle of Aughrim in 1691. The other is a mensa-slab and is supported by tomb-surrounds bearing the arms of Bellew, Plunkett, Preston and St Lawrence. The remains of this abbey are joined in the grounds by the now disused St Kienan's Church of Ireland church which was built in 1816. Interred in the graveyard are the remains of Catholic, Church of Ireland and Huguenot believers., The ruins of St Cianan's original stone church, built in 489, are to the northwest, across the road from St Mary's Abbey.
One of the great churches of the 12th century, St. Mary's Abbey, was built by the Augustinians on lands presented to them by Hugh de Lacy, Overlord of Meath.
In the 1500s a massive square tower was built alongside the earlier round tower. The latter is no longer standing but the ‘scar’ where it was joined onto the square tower is clearly visible on its north side.
Within the church are some early cross-slabs, a Romanesque pilaster-capital and the base and head of the South Cross, and some 16th and 17th century monuments. There are also two tombs - one covers the remains of Lord Bellew who was killed in action at the Battle of Aughrim in 1691. The other is a mensa-slab and is supported by tomb-surrounds bearing the arms of Bellew, Plunkett, Preston and St Lawrence. The remains of this abbey are joined in the grounds by the now disused St Kienan's Church of Ireland church which was built in 1816. Interred in the graveyard are the remains of Catholic, Church of Ireland and Huguenot believers.
The ruins of St Cianan's original stone church, built in 489, are to the northwest, across the road from St Mary's Abbey.
Location. 53° 39.318′ N, 6° 25.099′ W. Marker is in Duleek, Leinster, in County Meath. Marker is at the intersection of Church Lane and Dawe's Lane, on the left when traveling west on Church Lane. Marker is about 300 feet west of the village green. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Abbey ruins in left background. Former St Kienan's Church of Ireland church [in 2009 the Spire Restaurant] in foreground.
September 21, 2009
3. St Mary's Abbey Church Ruins
September 21, 2009
4. St Mary's Abbey Square Tower East Face
Showing former roof location.
September 21, 2009
5. St Mary's Abbey Square Tower West Face
September 21, 2009
6. St Mary's Abbey Square Tower North and West Faces
Showing Round Tower "scar" on North Face.
September 21, 2009
7. St Mary's Abbey Church Interior
Showing great window and tombs.
September 21, 2009
8. St Mary's Abbey Church Tomb Engraving
September 21, 2009
9. St Mary's Abbey South Cross Remains
September 21, 2009
10. St Mary's Abbey 1587 Church Window
Bears the arms of Sir John Bellew and Dame Ismay Nugent.
September 21, 2009
11. St Mary's Abbey North Cross West Face
Depicting the Crucifixion of Christ, with other details uncertain.
September 21, 2009
12. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face
September 21, 2009
13. St Mary's Abbey North Cross West Face Detail
September 21, 2009
14. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face Detail
September 21, 2009
15. St Mary's Abbey North Cross West Face Detail
September 21, 2009
16. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face
September 21, 2009
17. St Mary's Abbey North Cross North Face Detail
September 21, 2009
18. St Mary's Abbey North Cross South Face Detail
September 21, 2009
19. St Mary's Abbey North Cross South Face Dragon-Like Detail
September 21, 2009
20. St Mary's Abbey - St. Cianan's Ruins Nearby
September 21, 2009
21. St Mary's Abbey - St Kienan's Church West Face
September 21, 2009
22. St Mary's Abbey - Church Lane Street Sign Nearby
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 4,664 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. submitted on January 12, 2010.