Thursday, February 07, 2008

Moyne Abbey

Located in County Mayo, a place littered with old abbeys from years long past.Moyne is one such, and Franciscan too... It lies snug in a cleft in the shore of a deep estuary, between Killala and Ballina. As you drive down the lane, between flower-strewn hedges, even with the clutter of modern bungalows, there is an ancient feel to the countryside. The small hills look terraced.

History tells us that Moyne Abbey was consecrated in 1462. Then burnt down by the British governor of Connaught a hundred years later and the Franciscan monks persecuted. However, some monks managed to survive there until the 1800's.

Moyne Abby lies across a series of farmer fields, and the farmer blocks the path with a secure gate, and a sign that says. "BEWARE OF THE BULL" and "NO TRESPASSING"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

how could anyone persecute a franciscan? my God I'm not even (particularly) christian and I love them.