Designed landscape — formal garden in Tristernagh Demesne

Situated on the site of Tristernagh House with medieval bridge (WM011-052----) 160m to W. Lough Iron was originally 280m to NE but since the Inny River drainage scheme of the late 1960s the shoreline of the lake now stands 650m to NE. Augustinian priory (WM011-053----) of Tristernagh sometimes called the Priory of Kilbixy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and founded by Geoffrey de Constantine of Cosmeston Castle, Glamorganshire, in the late 12th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 196; Dugdale 1846, 1147). In 1540 there is a reference to 7 gardens and an orchard belonging t the estate of the Augustinian priory of Tristernagh. An Extent of the priory lands made at Tristernagh on the 8th of October 1540 listed the following possessions; 'Within the site of the priory or manor:—a church, which is the parish church; its belfry is a stone tower. Certain chambers and other buildings necessary for the farmer's use. A curtilage surrounded with a stone wall. All these are situated above a large lake, broad and deep. The other parts of the site are surrounded with a large bog, except that there is a single straight road (WM011-049----) for entrance. All the buildings are very necessary for the protection of the country. There are 7 gardens and an orchard, now unoccupied, and therefore worth nothing at present'(White 1943, 276). In 1783 the priory buildings were pulled down Sir Pigott William Piers who built Tristernagh House adjacent to the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). According to Archdall (1786, 730; Cogan 1870, 608; ) in this year ‘Sir Pigott William Piers sacrilegiously invaded the graveyard, had the skulls, bones, and tombs, torn from their resting-place, and put out of his way into a hole. The walls of the abbey were next torn down, and a mansion (Tristernagh House) for the proprietor was erected on the site. All that remained of the old abbey were a few walls, which were allowed to form a portion of the new residence. The Tristernagh property has since been sold off, in the Encumbered Estates Court’ (Cogan 1870, 608). By the early 19th century a stable and cow-house stood on the site of the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). The precise location of these gardens and orchards belonging to the priory have not been identified, they would have been located on the demesne lands of Tristernagh House and close to the site of the Augustinian priory. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 August 2017