Tristernagh Abbey, also known as the Priory of Kilbixy, is a ruined Augustinian priory

Priory

A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...

, situated on the shores of Lough Iron

Lough Iron

Lough Iron is a small lake on the River Inny, in County Westmeath, Ireland.A long and narrow lake, about 4 kilometers in length, it lies downstream from Lough Derravaragh, close to Lough Owel.It's a renowned bird and wildlife sanctuary, and also...

 about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north east of Ballynacargy

Ballynacargy

Ballynacargy, or Ballinacarrigy, is a small village in County Westmeath, Ireland on the Royal Canal and the R393 regional road. The last official commercial navigation of the canal took place in 1955.-History:...

 in County Westmeath

County Westmeath

-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...

, Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. The abbey was founded in 1192 by Geoffrey de Constantine and was dedicated to Mary

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...

. It was ransacked by the commissioners of King Henry VIII

Henry VIII of England

Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...

 in 1536 and closed it down. The abbey was destroyed in 1783.

The Piers Baronets, of Tristernagh Abbey

Piers Baronets

There have been two Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Piers, one in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia and one in the Baronetage of Ireland. One creation is extant as of 2008 while the other is dormant....

 is an extant peerage in the Baronetage of Ireland.

See also

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