Ireland: Claregalway Abbey
In Ireland there are many abbeys , most abandoned and in ruins. If you want to discover the historical heritage of Ireland and its close relationship with the Catholic religion , the remnants of this past are a good visit going to enjoy.
The Claregalway Abbey, together we will visit today is a complex of ruins that is still standing. Enough of the ruins of the original abbey, founded in 1290, are still standing. The most interesting is the tower and the arches around the cloister .
The abbey stayed until just a century, a small community of Franciscan monks .
The abbey, during its heyday, in the hands changed hands between lords and kings (including Queen Elizabeth I ).
In mid 1700 it was estimated that about 250 monks in the abbey, but since each census the number is decreasing dramatically. At age 20 there are 150 monks and 60 years later there are apparently only two monks and the abbey is mostly in ruins, which still serves as a residence.
The cemetery around the ruins of the abbey is still used today. The site of the abbey is open to the public free of charge and worth a visit.
The Claregalway Abbey is in the namesake town in County Galway .
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Posted in Ireland Travel Guide | 
Tags: Catholic religion, Claregalway Abbey, Franciscan, Galway, historical heritage, monk