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
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.
Erected by Meath Tourism.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 53° 39.318′ N, 6° 25.099′ W. Marker is in Duleek, Leinster, in County Meath. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Leinster’s Boyne Valley. It is also in Ancient East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Connell's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Parochial House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Lime Tree (about 120 meters away); Duleek Courthouse (about 120 meters away); Duleek 1916 - 1981 Hunger Strike Monument (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The Woodhenge/Pit circle / The Winter Soltice (approx. 5.7 kilometers away); Knowth / Cnogbha (approx. 7 kilometers away); Saint Patrick on the Hill of Slane (approx. 10.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duleek.
September 21, 2009
2. St Mary's Abbey Marker
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.
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5. St Mary's Abbey Square Tower West Face
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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.
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8. St Mary's Abbey Church Tomb Engraving
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9. St Mary's Abbey South Cross Remains
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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.
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12. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face
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13. St Mary's Abbey North Cross West Face Detail
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14. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face Detail
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15. St Mary's Abbey North Cross West Face Detail
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16. St Mary's Abbey North Cross East Face
September 21, 2009
17. St Mary's Abbey North Cross North Face Detail
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18. St Mary's Abbey North Cross South Face Detail
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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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,858 times since then and 17 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.
