Molana Abbey is a 6th century Abbey situated near Youghal

Youghal

Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...

, but is actually in County Waterford

County Waterford

*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...

.

History

A disciple of St. Carthage, called Molana, founded a little monastery - Abbey of St. Molanfide - on an island called Dair Inis on the River Blackwater

Munster Blackwater

The Blackwater or Munster Blackwater is a river which flows through counties Kerry, Cork, and Waterford in Ireland. It rises in the Mullaghareirk Mountains in County Kerry and then flows in an easterly direction through County Cork, through Mallow and Fermoy...

 - north of Youghal.

The ruined abbey is home to the remains of Raymond le Gros

Raymond Fitzgerald

Raymond FitzGerald , nicknamed Le Gros, was a Cambro-Norman commander during the Norman invasion of Ireland....

, one of the first of the invading Norman knights to come to Ireland, who died in or around 1186.

It was extensively rebuilt in the 13th century and became an Augustinian abbey, when it is claimed that the Abbey had an international reputation for scholarship.

Today

The ruins of 13th century abbey - which include a church and cloisters - can still be seen today. They are part of the nearby Ballynatray House, and is open to the public for a few hours on certain days of the week.

See also

• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Cork)

• Rincrew Abbey
  Rincrew Abbey
  -History:Rincrew Abbey, which was built for the Order of St John - Knights Templar - on a hill overlooking the River Blackwater north of Youghal.-Today:Some ruins still exist today, but they are situated on a private farm and have no public access-See also:...
  
  
• Youghal
  Youghal
  Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...
  
  
• Youghal Priory
  Youghal Priory
  Youghal Priory is a twelfth century Benedictine Priory situated in the centre of Youghal, County Cork, Ireland.-Features:Small portions of the building still survive, which include a Gothic moulded door, ornamental spandrels and a gable-end with period window. The archway beyond the door leads to a...
  
  
• North Abbey, Youghal
  North Abbey, Youghal
  North Abbey, Youghal was a 13th century Dominican Priory situated north of Youghal, County Cork, Ireland- History :The Dominican Priory of North Abbey, Youghal was founded in 1268 by Thomas Fitzmaurice, whose grandfather Maurice Fitzgerald had founded the Franciscan Friary of South Abbey,...
  
  
• South Abbey, Youghal
  South Abbey, Youghal
  South Abbey, Youghal was a 13th century Franciscan Friary that was situated south of Youghal, County Cork, Ireland- History :The Franciscan Friary of South Abbey, Youghal was founded in 1224 by Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly, and he was buried there in 1257...