Boyle Cistercian Abbey

Map Reference: G802026 (1802, 3026)

Boyle Abbey is one of the best preserved Cistercian abbey ruins. The large cruciform church has north and south aisles and two east chapels in each of the transepts.



The outer wall of the north aisle is now gone and the aisle arcade is now blocked. The arches of the north arcade are pointed and those of the south arcade are round.



The pillars at the east end of the north arcade have corner pilasters and those opposite them in the south arcade are round. The pillars at the west end of the nave are square with pilasters on the inside. The north and south arcades are similar in this area. The capitals of all the pilasters are richly decorated with plant and animal motifs.



The bases of the round pillars have some decoration. The church has a large square tower and a triple lancet east window. There are some carved masks on the outside of the tower. The site of the cloister garth to the south of the church is clear but there are no remains of the cloister arcade.



Two elaborate doorways lead from the east range into the cloister garth. A small two storey building has been reconstructed in the west range. This serves as a gateway and visitors' centre.



At the southwest corner of the abbey is a small round flanking tower. This is thought to be the stump of a Round Tower.









For more photos of Boyle Cistercian Abbey click HERE

For more examples of Cistercian Abbeys click the following links

Corcomroe, Co Clare Grey Abbey, Co Down Inch Abbey, Co Down Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway Duiske Abbey, Co Kilkenny Jerpoint, Co Kilkenny Monasteranenagh, Co Limerick Abbeylara, Co Longford Abbeyshrule, Co Longford Mellifont, Co Louth Bective, Co Meath Holy Cross, Co Tipperary Hore Abbey, Co Tipperary Kilcooly, Co Tipperary Dunbrody, Co Wexford Tintern, Co Wexford Baltinglass, Co Wicklow

For details of other Round Towers click on the links below

Antrim, Co Antrim Armoy, Co Antrim St Mullin’s, Co Carlow Drumlane, Co Cavan Drumcliff, Co Clare Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Cloyne, Co Cork Kinneigh, Co Cork Tory Island, Co Donegal Drumbo, Co Down Maghera, Co Down Nendrum, Co Down Lusk, Co Dublin Swords, Co Dublin Devenish, Co Fermanagh Kilbennan, Co Galway Kilmacduagh, Co Galway Roscam, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ratoo, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare, Co Kildare Kilcullen, Co Kildare Oughterard, Co Kildare Taghadoe, Co Kildare Aghaviller, Co Kilkenny Grangefertagh, Co Kilkenny Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Tullaherin, Co Kilkenny Timahoe, Co Laois Kilmallock, Co Limerick Dromiskin, Co Louth Monasterboice, Co Louth Aghagower, Co Mayo Balla, Co Mayo Killala, Co Mayo Meelick, Co Mayo Turlough, Co Mayo Donaghmore, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Oran, Co Roscommon Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Cashel, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary Ardmore, Co Waterford Glendalough, Co Wicklow