Lorrha Monastic Village & Castles

“The village of Lorrha hosts a number of fascinating historical and religious sites, including the place where St Ruadhan founded a monastery in 540 and which showcases the remains of two high crosses, found in the churchyard, which are among the oldest of their kind in Ireland.
In the 15th Century, the Prior was slain by Ruairi O’Kennedy for intervening in a family dispute. According to local folklore, he was cursed and expelled to Wexford and is said to be the ancestor of John F. Kennedy.”

The Dominican Abbey, was established in 1269 by Walter de Burgo, the Earl of Ulster. The historic site includes three churches, two high crosses, and a motte, showcasing lancet windows and a five-light window. Noteworthy tombs, like those of the MacEgans and O’Kennedys, underscore the legacy of Walter de Burgo’s visionary initiative.

St. Ruadhan’s Abbey, founded in 540, boasts church ruins from around 1000. Two high crosses from 750 and St. Ruadhan’s Well, a vital water source for the monastic settlement, add to the historical allure.

The 12th-century Augustinian Abbey, initially burnt in the 13th century, impresses visitors with its enduring beauty, highlighted by a captivating doorway added in 1280 during Edward I’s reign.

Lackeen Castle, constructed in the 12th century, and later reconstructed in the 16th century by John O’Kennedy, holds cultural richness with the discovery of the Stowe Missal. The castle, well-preserved and enclosed by remnants of a high wall, offers insight into its historical significance.

Redwood Castle, an iconic landmark believed to be established around 1210, was occupied by the MacEgans between 1350 and 1640. Home to intellectual activities and the creation of the “Leabhair Breac” and Annals of the Four Masters, it was restored in the 1970s by the Egan family. The largest surviving tower house in the region, Redwood Castle invites exploration of its chambers, passageways, and staircases, embodying the enduring legacy of the Egan family.