Lislaughtin Abbey

Lislaughtin Abbey is a Franciscan friary in County Kerry, Ireland, with medieval stone ruins dating from the 15th century. The building features a long church with about 30 pointed limestone windows and a square tower that rises above the choir arch.

John O'Connor founded the friary in 1478 and named it after Saint Lachtin, who had brought Christianity to the region in the 7th century. This connects the place to a long tradition of religious life in the area.

The site served as a gathering place for the local community's spiritual life for centuries. Today visitors can explore the quiet cemetery grounds, which show how important this location has remained to the people of the region.

The ruins stand on the grounds of an active Catholic cemetery near Ballylongford and are accessible by local roads. Access is straightforward, as the site is open to visitors who can explore the medieval structures from various angles.

During the siege of Carrigafoyle Castle in the 1580s, local people buried the precious silver Lislaughtin cross to protect it from English soldiers. The cross, commissioned in 1479, displays the artistic quality of medieval Irish craftsmanship and is now kept in the National Museum of Ireland.

Location: County Kerry

GPS coordinates: 52.55747,-9.47006

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21