Aghaboe is most famed as the birthplace of Saint Fergal.
The Austrian government had a large part in refurbishing this ruin as a result.
The present structure is a Dominican Priory and dates to 15th century only.
Access and car-parking are good and the ruin is well-kept.
Mention is made of an Augustinian Priory at Aghamacart dedicated to Saint Tiernaigh (Tierney/Tiernan). This abbey lies three to the south west of Durrow and Aghaboe is about equidistant to the north west. The Augustinian Canons lived on the site of the present Church of Ireland church and the Dominican Friars in the adjoining abbey. It is likely that there was a small community of Augustinian Canons as Aghaboe was the cathedral for Ossory. The canons moved to Kilkenny in 1190.
ABBOTS OF AGHABOE
618 - ST. CANICE died
693 - MEANN BOIRNE, the abbot died.
734 ST. FERGHAL, (resigned and died in 784)
777 SCANNAL UA THAIDHG,
808 FEARADHACH MAC SCANNAIL, the abbot died.
820 FOBHASACH, the abbot died.
835 ROBHARTACH MAB MAELUIDHIR, the abbot died.
843 ROBHARTACH MAC BREASAIL, the abbot died.
853 AILILL, the abbot died.
857 SUAIRLEACH, the abbot died.
885 MAOL MHÁIRTÍN, the abbot died.
901 CELI MAC URTHIL, the abbot died.
913 The abbey was plundered
914 MAENACH MAC DAILGEÁIN, the abbot died.
927 CIARÁN, the abbot died.
933 CORMAC MAC MAENAIGH, the abbot died. (martyred)
966 MUIREACHADH MAC MAENAIGH, the abbot died.
969 MAOL SHAMHNA, the abbot died.
1003 AONGHUS MAC BREASAIL, the abbot died.
1007 MAOL MHUIRE Ó GEARAGÁIN, the abbot died.
1008 CATHAL MAC SEARLAIS, the abbot died.
1012 CIAN Ó GEARAGÁIN, the abbot died.
1038 CAIRBRE Ó CHOIMHGHILLIAN, the abbot died
1050 DUBHTACH MAC MILIDH, the abbot died
1052 The Church in Aghaboe was built
1066 CAOMHÁN, the abbot died
1095 EOCHAIDH Ó CHOISÍ, the abbot died
1108 CEALACH Ó COEMHOR, the abbot died
1154 CIAN Ó GEARAGÁIN, the last recorded abbot died
1190 Bishop FELIX O’DELANEY transferred the Cathedral from Aghaboe to Kilkenny.
1278 Bishop GEOFFREY ST LEGER lost a case taken by EUDO LA TOUCHE concerning possession of the church building which belonged by Royal Grant to La Touche
1325 Brendán O’Brien, the Gaelic Lord of Thomand and the English of Emly attacked Aghaboe and massacred the people living there.
1346 Dermot Mac Giolla Phádraig attacked Aghaboe and destroyed the church. He remained lord of the area afterwards.
1382 FINGHIN, son of Dermot, brought the Dominicans to Aghaboe. John O’Faolain, was the first prior.
1400 Phelan’s Chapel was added to the south side of the church and named after the first prior John Phelan.
Suppression of the Abbey of Aghaboe and expulsion of the Dominicans.
1542 DONALD PHELAN became owner
DONAGH McGINN given ownership
1586 DANIEL KELLY becomes the owner
Despite its suppression in 1540, there is a list naming all the priors of the community without giving actual dates. Priors serve a three-year term and that can be renewed once. These priors would have been anything up to six years at Aghaboe. Michael Cashin, succeded O’Faoilean and then; Patrick Fitzpatrick, John O'Gara, James O'Hehir, James Fitzpatrick, Ambrose Fitzgerald, Patrick Gorman, Thady O'Kelly, Stephen Lynch, Patrick M'Donagh, Patrick Coigly, Donat O'Cuiffe, John Tuohy, Manus O'Dempsy, Dominick Nolan, Stephen Burke, John O'Theige, Maurice Fitzpatrick , Hugh O'Kirvan , James Horan, Thomas O'Sullivan, Richard Fitzpatrick, Kyran Leynachan, Michael Keoghy, Walter Ryan, Denis Cahasy, Anastasius Beacon, Patrick Comerford , Dominick Phelan , Rory Fitzpatrick, Christian Connolly, Felix Magrath, James O'Cleary, James Cavanagh, Nicholas Garavan, Francis McFarrell, James Fitzpatrick, Hugh Cashin, Darby Creary, James Williams, Patrick Keely , Patrick Delahunty. , James Phelan, James Williams. , Patrick Keely, the last Prior of Aghaboe, 1786 – and there...
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