Religious house — Cistercian monks in Fermoy

On S bank of Blackwater River, within present town of Fermoy. Cistercian monastery located, according to Abbott (1928, 16), on S bank of Blackwater River 'west of the bridge'. Locally believed to have stood between Pearse Square and Abbey Street. No visible surface trace survives. Founded in 1170 by Donal Mor O'Brien (Stalley 1987, 244); in 1227 was the principal instigator in the Mellifont conspiracy (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 132). Dissolved in 1539-41, 'when most of its landed possessions were said to be waste' (Stalley ibid.). Later used as a parish church, when described as 'a mean Gothic building' (ibid.) Finally demolished in 1804 and materials used to construct present town; pointed stone arch incorporated into property boundary on N side of McCurtain Street, may be part of abbey (Lennon 1987, 1); font, thought to be from abbey, now in Fermoy C of I church (14704). (Zajac et al. 1995, 38) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009