Convent (in Ruins)

Associated with St. Sinchell who founded a monastery here in the sixth century. The church and convent marked on the OS 6-inch map are the same buildings which represent the remains of a large Franciscan Abbey formerly the site of an Augustinian Priory (OF025-017003-) which is today incorporated into a guest house (OF025-030----) and a C of I church. Site of Augustinian nunnery defined by well preserved large impressive earthwork consisting of two earthen banks with a deep wide flat bottomed intervening fosse which form an annexe to the main ecclesiastical enclosure on the SE side. No remains of any buildings within this annexe survives. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

The convent at Ballinvally was originally founded by St. Sinchell in the sixth century and later became a large Franciscan Abbey. It is significant as a religious site with both early monastic and medieval monastic associations.