Grange Abbey (in Ruins)

Marked as 'Abbey' on current OS 6-inch map and as 'Castle Ruins' on Taylor and Skinner's map of 1777. It is illustrated by Wright (1758, bk II, pls XV and XVI) and would appear to be a fortified ecclesiastical site with towers at its NW and SW angles and the original church at the E half of the structure. Wright's plan of the structure (pl. XVI) would strongly indicate that this was originally a church which was later fortified. It appears in the Louth inventory (Buckley 1986, 93) as a castle but is included here as an ecclesiastical building. There are no visible surface remains, but a late medieval window lintel stone was to be seen in the wall of a house in the village of Grange in the 1960s. (Wright 1758, bk II, 7, pls XV and XVI; CLAJ 1941, 12) Excavation in advance of a construction of a housing scheme (Excavation Licence: 02E0530) uncovered a series of walls which are possibly part of the structures depicted by Wright (1758, bk II, pls XV and XVI). These are preserved in-situ. A series of pits and ditches were also uncovered. (Clutterbuck 2004, 384-5) The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Claire Breen Date of revision: 14 January 2011

Grange Abbey in Rath Lower was likely founded in the 12th or 13th century by a Cistercian or Augustinian order, based on the typical pattern of monastic foundation in Ireland during this period. Its fortified character suggests a response to local instability, and its ecclesiastical significance is reflected in its depiction on 18th-century maps and illustrations.