After leaving the Cliffs of Moher, we set Google Maps to direct us to Bunratty. That’s because we were going to be indulging at the castle’s medieval banquet that night.
During our time in Ireland, Clare FM was broadcasting from Fleadh Cheoil, a music festival and competition. While we were visiting in August 2017 it was being held in Ennis, the town Shae and I stayed at for our honeymoon back in 2004.
Ennis was on the route to Bunratty, so we figured we’d stop by to check out Fleadh. That was a little optimistic though – it was mid-afternoon by the time we arrived and so we couldn’t find any parking.
We therefore decided to continue on to Bunratty and possibly look around the castle before the banquet. That plan changed about 15 minutes after leaving Ennis as we found ourselves driving through a village called Quin and spotted what we thought might be a castle off to the left.
It turned out we’d gotten as lucky as we did when coming across Kilmacduagh Monastery the previous day. That’s because Quin is the home of Quin Abbey.
History of Quin Abbey
The site was originally home to a castle built by Thomas de Clare in 1278 but it was destroyed a few decades later. The MacNamara family subsequently gave the site to the Franciscan order to build a friary. They started building in 1402 and work was finally completed in 1433.
The friary was dissolved in 1541 by King Henry VIII, with ownership being granted to Conor O’Brien. He allowed the friars to continue living there and they remained at Quin Abbey for more than 200 years, before finally being expelled in 1760. However, the last Franciscan friar – John Hogan – stayed there until he passed away in 1820. The buildings gradually became ruins after being neglected following his passing.
Visiting Quin Abbey
Upon spotting Quin Abbey, we whipped into the last remaining parking spot immediately outside.
Walking onto the grounds, we were greeted by several cows busy having their lunch.
While Mark, Megan and I went to explore, Shae stuck around to make a friend.
There was an informational board on the right of the path which gave some history about Quin Abbey.
It was at this point we found out that anyone is welcome to walk around the grounds of the friary for free, so in we went.
There are steps leading up to the entrance which takes you straight into the nave, with the chancel and transept branching off from there.
Between the nave and chancel is a doorway that leads to the cloisters.
Off to the side of the cloisters were the kitchen…
…and refectory.
Considering the building is about 600 years old and has been left in ruins for about 200 years, it’s still in remarkably good condition.
Unfortunately there’s a locked gate preventing you from going up these stairs to explore.
There are gravestones both around the outside of Quin Abbey…
…and inside.
Although the roof has gone, the tower is still standing strong.
One of the areas I found most interesting was what seemed to be a non-underground crypt. There was a locked door but it had a few small peepholes through which you could see some coffins.
Above the door was a bust of St Peter that appeared to have doubled up as a perch for some birds.
A few other photos from around the abbey…
Outside the building was an artist’s impression of what Thomas de Clare’s original castle would have looked like.
There’s also a diagram of Quin Abbey’s layout nowadays.
The building contained a somewhat damaged tile version of the layout.
Off to the side of the abbey was a bridge across to another ruined building. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore that, so I’m not sure if it was part of the original abbey or something else.
We ended up spending more than half an hour at Quin Abbey. However, it was eventually time to leave for our next destination – Bunratty Castle’s medieval banquet.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to be visiting Ennis, Knappogue Castle or Bunratty Castle during a trip to Ireland, we recommend swinging by Quin in County Clare to visit Quin Abbey.
It’s a beautiful place to look around, made even better by the fact that it’s free to enter. Quin Abbey also doesn’t appear to a tourist hotspot as we were the only ones having a wander. That meant our half hour there was extremely peaceful.
Question
Have you visited Quin Abbey? If so, what was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below.
Ireland Road Trip
Here’s everything else that we got up to in Ireland:
- Introduction: Non-Surprise Ireland Road Trip
- 24 Hours In Athlone, Ireland: Where To Stay, Eat, Drink, Shop & Visit
- Luck Of The Irish At Kilmacduagh Monastery
- Returning To The Cliffs Of Moher
- Quin Abbey In 30 Photos
- Feasting Like Royalty At The Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
- Day 3: Desmond, Dingle, Dolphin, Driving And Dining
- Puckering Up At Blarney Castle
- Day 4: Kissing Stones, Flat Tires, Stunning Food & Tiny Homes
- 4 Friends + 1 Tiny Home = 1 Fun Night In Ireland
- Breakfast Serendipity At The Conservatory, Laragh
- Glendalough Monastic Site In 25 Photos
- Shot Through The Heart At The Irish Whiskey Museum
- Dublin’s Best Breakfast At Stage Door Cafe
- What To Do (And What Not To Do) In Dublin, Ireland
- Travelling With The Peppers: Saga Holiday Adventures
- Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes When Visiting Ireland
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