Galbally abbey enjoys prominence in 1991
30 years ago this year, a partnership involving Galbally Community Council and the clergy of the local parish there hosted a Festival of Faith and Social Evening at Moor Abbey.
With the aim of attracting renewed interest in the historic site, a programme of ongoing works were planned, set to highlight importance and attractiveness of the abbey ruins. Hereunder, we recall the report featured in TheAvondhu prior to the date of the event in July 28, 1991.
‘GALBALLY ABBEY ENJOYS NEW PROMINENCE
A famous landmark in the area since its foundation in 1204 by the King of Thomond, Donough Gairbeach O’Brien, The Mooreabbey (sic), a former Franciscan Friary at Galbally, Co Limerick is set to enjoy new prominence as one of the most historic ruins in the entire country.
Galbally Community Council have teamed up with clergy in the parish to host a Festival of Faith and Social evening at the Abbey on Sunday next, July 28.
The programme will commence with Mass, celebrated by Fr John P Ryan O.F.M. at 2.15pm, followed by an evening of traditional entertainment with The Ormond Comhaltas Group, Nenagh and local guest artistes.
Jim Fitzgerald, chairman of Galbally Community Council, welcomes the opportunity to accord renewed prominence to The Mooreabbey.
“It is undoubtedly the most significant building in the parish,” he says “and, although now in ruins, it harbours a unique sense of history”.
The Mooreabbey is currently enjoying physical development through a local Tidy Towns Project. Splendid stone walls have been built to surround an adjacent parking area and nearby greens landscaped to further enhance what is already a beautiful setting.
Situated under the shadows of the majestic Galtee mountains, the abbey commands a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, as the Aherlow river ebbs gently onwards through the scenic valley.
With Galbally to the forefront of the Tidy Towns Competition, as last year’s Regional Shannonside winner, The Mooreabbey is, of course, also of great tourist related interest. A familiar stopping place for day trippers and visitors, the Abbey portrays obvious potential for development and promotion.
The Festival of Faith on Sunday next is but a first step in an ongoing programme planned to highlight The Mooreabbey.’
MOOR ABBEY, CO. TIPPERARY – A HISTORY
The following detail, courtesy of the National Monuments Service, provides a historic overview of the site, which lies in close proximity to Galbally village.
‘In the beautiful Glen of Aherlow, looking out to the stunning Galtee Mountains are the ruins of Moor Abbey.
This Franciscan friary was founded in the 13th century by Donnchad Móir Ó Briain, King of Thomond (1210-1242). Historical evidence suggests that in 1471 a new church was constructed at the site, but that the following year it was destroyed by fire. The buildings that survive today date from this period.
The church consists of a nave and chancel, separated by a tall bell-tower. In the chancel is a double piscina for washing liturgical vessels. Beside the doorway in the north wall of the chancel is a stoup which contained holy water that would have served the friars entering the church from the sacristy which formerly stood to the north
In 1541 the friary was dissolved and later became the property of John Fitzgerald, brother of the Earl of Desmond. In 1569, during a rebellion led by the Earl of Desmond, the abbey was burned by government soldiers led by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, originally from Devon and a half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. The following year Fr. Dermot O’Mulrooney and two other friars returned to the friary, but were murdered by government forces.’