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Mainistir Ráth Maoláin

Rathmullan Priory, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. The Carmelite priory is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was built by Eo´ghan Ru´aMacSweeny in 1516. In 1595 it was plundered by George Bingham who sailed into Lough Swilly from Sligo and carried away vestments, chalices, and other objects. He was murdered soon afterwards by a member of his crew.

The friars later returned and restored the place. In 1601, the buildings consisted of a church and steeple, cloister, hall and three chambers. About 1617 Andrew Knox, Bishop of Raphoe, gained the site and converted the nave and transept into a private dwelling.

He preserved the tower and chancel as his chapel. Between 1706 and 1814 it served

as a parish church until St. Columb's, the new one, was built. In the late eighteenth

century the Knox family moved to Prehen outside Derry and the house became a

ruin. Beautiful spot.

Larger on Black

 

Part of the Ireland set.

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Uploaded on May 14, 2007
Taken on May 14, 2007