Creevelea Abbey

Dromahair, Co Leitrim

 

Im publishing some information on a beautiful and sacred place called Creevelea Abbey in Dromahair, County Leitrim.

This Franciscan Monastery was the last Monastery to be built in Ireland before the terrible years of repression, destruction and sacriledge known as the "Reformation" in the 16th century. The Abbey was built in 1508 and the Church was consecrated in 1511.

It is built upon a very sacred rock outcrop which was known as "Carraig Phadraic" Patricks Rock. Saint Patrick was known to have been here and believed to have built a church on this rock in the 4th century during the period when Ireland was being converted from Paganism to Christianity. 

 

The Abbey was built with money donated by Owen & Margaret O'Rourke, Head of the O'Rourkes of Breiffne and the village of Dromahair was their main residence.

The first Franciscan Friars came from Donegal Abbey which had been founded by Margaret O'Rourkes sister, who was married to the famous Hugh O'Donnell of Donegal.

 

 



 The Church and Monastery buildings are remarkably well preserved despite the desecrations and abuse of all things "Catholic" by the "Reformers". At one stage Cromwells troops were billeted in the Church and it was used as a stables for horses. The High Altar where Mass would have been offered and which was no doubt a beautiful local creation of carved towers with statues of the Saints, was destroyed and there is now no trace of it. However, the Ambry, a stone niche in the wall at the side of the High Altar which contained the Holy Oils, used for Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Extreme Unction (Sacrament of the Sick & Dying) still exists and can be seen. This Ambry or Niche has now become an improvised shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary and contains a statue surrounded by flowers etc.

 

 

In one part of the church two side Altars still exist, their top Altar Stone slabs have been removed probably during the "reformation" period, but the physical structure of the Altars can still be clearly seen. I like to think that one was consecrated to St Patrick, whose presence in Dromahair (Carraig Phaidric) the Abbey celebrates, and the other side Altar was consecrated to St Francis, the Founder of the Franciscan Order.

 

In front of where the High Altar would have been is a grave slab with a Bishops Mitre, Crozier and coat of arms. This is the grave of Bishop Thady O'Rourke, a descendent of the O'Rourkes of Breffni, Bishop of Killala from 1707 to 1734. The Penal Laws forbidding the Catholic Faith were at their most severe during this period and only two Catholic Bishops existed in Ireland.

One was imprisoned in Dublin (Newgate Prison) Bishop Donnelly of Dromore and the other was Thady O'Rourke. Thady O'Rourke was secretly consecrated as a Bishop by Bishop Donnelly while he was imprisoned in Dublin using Holy Oils which were brought in at great risk to those concerned.

 

 

 

In one part of the Cloister, where the Franciscan Friars would have walked around while saying the Rosary and their daily devotions, is located the famous grave of Father Peter Magauran, Parish Priest of Killenummery 1826-1837.

This Priest had a great reputation as a Holy Man and his name and reputation for sanctity has been passed down from generation to generation. The grave of Fr Magauran is a place of pilgrimage and many people come from all over Ireland to pray for his help.

The clay from Fr Magurans grave is believed to have curative properties and many cures have been reported. The Travelling Community have great devotion to Fr Magauran and his name has been kept sacred by them for many generations.

 

 

In another part of the Cloister can be seen two wonderful stone carvings of St Francis of Assisi,

One of them shows the Saint preaching to the birds which was a way of showing his love for nature and Gods creation.

 

Creevelea Abbey is a beautiful sacred place and has been very well looked after by the Office of Public Works who now care for the Monastery on behalf of the State. It is a National Monument, but much more than this, it is a reminder to us all of our links with the past.

On one side of the Abbey the builders left a large rocky outcrop sticking out.

It is believed that people would travel for many miles on pilgrimage to "Carraig Phaidrag-the Rock of Patrick" to be able to touch this outcrop with thier hands and rosaries.

 

St Patrick in the 4th century believed the same Catholic faith that St Francis believed in the 12th century. This is the same Catholic faith that we believe in the 21st century.

Creevelea Abbey is a living beacon of Faith which has stood the test of time and which links us with our history and the sufferings of past generations for thier faith.

 

 

Our Lady of Creevelea Abbey, St Patrick and St Francis ora pro nobis. (Pray for us)