North Abbey, Dominican monastery in Youghal, Ireland.
North Abbey is a Dominican monastery in Youghal whose ruins include sections of the southwest wall and a decorated pillar. The site sits within the town cemetery and features a chapel constructed in 1817.
This priory was founded in 1268 by Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald, second baron of Desmond, under the patronage of the Dominican order. It remained an active religious center for several centuries before falling into disrepair.
The ivory Madonna and Child statue discovered here in the late 15th century drew pilgrims seeking devotion to Mary. This artifact turned the site into a place where people came specifically to honor this religious figure.
The site is easy to access since it sits within the town cemetery and is reachable on foot. Take time to examine the marked remains and observe the chapel's structure while you walk through.
The grounds serve as the burial place of multiple Earls of Desmond, a powerful family that shaped the region. Members from different generations of this family rest here, making it a meeting point between religious life and local nobility.
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