The monastic site at Aghaboe has a tortured history of plundering, burning and rebuilding. Founded by St Canice c 576, the original Abbey served as a centre of learning, commerce and agriculture. It was plundered by the Vikings in 913 and rebuilt in 1052 with relics of St Canice enshrined. It was again burned in 1116 and built in 1189. During this period it served as an Augustinian priory and was the cathedral church of the diocese of Ossory.
It was destroyed again in 1346 as a casualty of an attack on the Norman castle on the adjoining motte. Today a Church of Ireland, which dates from the 1700s, stands where that priory once stood. Incorporated into the church are fragments of the Augustinians’ buildings, which include a Medieval carved limestone head on the east side of the doorway and a small belltower that has the same proportions as one from the 1200s.
In 1382 Finchin Fitzpatrick built a Friary just west of this church which was granted to the Dominicans who served the area for the next 4 centuries. The friary contains a beautifully carved three-light window. In 1984 the ruins were restored by the local community.
There is plenty of parking available. Cache is a small bison tube, please replace as found.