Mooreabbey Ho. Site of Abbey — Mooreabbey Demesne

In wooded, landscaped, former demesne grounds on the E bank of the S-flowing River Barrow. A 1596 lease on the Manor of Evon (Monasterevin) lists, ‘ … a fair hall, a stable, kitchen, and other rooms, an orchard, watermill ...' (Fitzgerald 1904, 256-7). According to Bence-Jones (1978, 210), the present Moore Abbey house is a 1767 rebuilding of a 17th century [16th/17th century?] house, itself built on the site of a Carmelite abbey (KD026-001----). It was the sometime seat of the Moores, earls of Drogheda, and for a time, the residence of the noted singer, John McCormack (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 379). Now much renovated and operated as a health care facility by the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, the entrance incorporates a fine 17th century surround of the Lofus family, and the later porch shows the coat of arms of the Moore family. A date stone of 1607, and two 16th century jamb stones, reused in a window, are incorporated in the E wall. The latter may have come from an earlier house, or from the abbey. The large hall to the right of the entrance may also date from the 17th century, as may the vaulted basements where, although plastered, red brick is visible in some of the arches. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 30 July 2012