Religious house

Cistercian abbey of Chore, also called St. Mary of Chore (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 140), founded in 1180 'almost certainly by Irish and not Anglo-Normans' (Stalley 1987, 248). In '1541 the jurors found that the abbey church had been parochial and that all other buildings on the one-acre site were necessary for the farm' (Gwynn & Hadcock ibid); supressed in 1543 (ibid); in 1580 Seneschal of Imokilly 'retired to the abbey whence he was also expelled, probably with much damage to the building' (Power 1929, 23); in ruins in 1615 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 107). According to Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 369-70), 'last remains of it were taken down to afford a site for the present church'. Site now occupied by Midleton C of I church and graveyard (CO076-06301- and 02-). No upstanding remains of abbey but some stones from it in graveyard including 'a latem edieval door head and a piece of circular shafting' (Stalley 1987, 248). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Cistercian abbey, founded in 1180 and dissolved in 1541 during the Reformation. It is significant as an example of early Irish Cistercian monasticism, reflecting the order's expansion and influence in medieval Ireland.