Derrane Abbey

An abbey of Augustinian Arroasian nuns was established here from Roscommon (RO039-043006-) probably by Turlough O'Conor before his death in 1156. By 1223 it was a cell of the Arroasian nuns at Kilcreevanty (GA029-096001-), but it may have been defunct shortly afterwards (Gwynn and Hadcock, 1970, 163, 316; Hall 2003, 79, 152). It is listed as Doryn in the ecclesiastical taxation of Elphin in 1306 (Cal. doc. Ire., vol. 5, 223), and is situated on a broad, low NW-SE ridge. A rectangular structure (dims c. 30m NW-SE; c. 10m NE-SW) described in gothic lettering as ‘Derrane Abbey’ is marked on the 1837 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and is probably the abbey church, which once had a large decorated window (Weld 1832, 458-9). The Roman Catholic church of Our Lady of Lourdes was built on its site in 1857 (Beirne 2000, 263) but is aligned NE-SW. A fragment of a wall (L 11.7m NE-SW; T 0.9-1m; H 0.6-0.8m) with a taller section (H 2.3m) at its SW end survives inside the NW wall of the rectangular graveyard (RO040-004002-) (dims 53m NWE-SE; 40m NE-SW) defined by masonry walls, which is just to the SE of the present church. This might be the original wall of the graveyard. There is the head of a maltese cross (RO040-004004-) (Wth 0.68m; H 0.58m; T 0.1m) and about ten architectural fragments in the graveyard. The cross-head has an inscription commemorating Hugh and Margaret Hanly and their daughter-in-law Ann with the dates 1677 and 1692. It is set on a hexagonal shaft with the symbols of the passion (total H 1.3m) (Siggins 1994a). It might once have been erected c. 130m to the NW (RO036-038----) where there is the base of a cross (RO036-039004-). Archaeological testing (08E0392) for an extension to the present church recorded no material related to the earlier foundation (Byrne 2008b; 2011b).