Boyle Abbey
About
The abbey is the reason the town has its Irish name, Mainistir na Búille, and it sits about 400 metres east of the town bridge. Monks from Mellifont founded it in the twelfth century under the patronage of the MacDermotts, the local ruling family, and it became one of the most powerful early Cistercian houses in Connacht. Cromwellian forces occupied it in 1659 and for the following centuries it was used to house a garrison, which did it no favours, but the nave arcade, the crossing tower and the carved capitals have come through remarkably well, including the much-photographed capital with two cockerels. The restored gatehouse, from the sixteenth or seventeenth century, is now the interpretive centre, and the OPW runs guided and self-guided visits of about half an hour. It is a seasonal site: it closed for the 2026 season on 16 September and the 2027 opening date had not been published when this guide was written.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Twelfth-century Cistercian nave and crossing tower
- ✓Carved capitals, including the two cockerels
- ✓Interpretive centre in the restored gatehouse
- ✓Covered by the OPW Heritage Card
Tips
- →Seasonal: closed through the winter, so check heritageireland.ie for the 2027 opening date
- →Last admission is 45 minutes before closing
- →The walkways inside the ruin are uneven; assistance dogs only
