Portumna Abbey is the remains of a chapel founded by Cistercian monks from Dunbrody Abbey in Wexford in 1254 and dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. In time the lands were abandoned by the Cistercians and was held by the O’Madden family. In 1426 Murchad Ó Madáin of the powerful O’Madden lords of Síol Anmchadha granted it to Dominicans who founded a friary there in 1426. Portumna was dissolved in the 16th century and the lands granted to Ulick Burke, 3rd Earl of Clanricarde. It appears part of the church was later used as a Church of Ireland structure in the late 17th or early 18th century depending on differing sources, though its known that we wedding of Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan and a leading Jacobite soldier married Honora Burke of Portumna happened there in January 1689 in the midst of the Williamite War. The choir of the abbey was used as a place of worship for the local Church of Ireland congregation between 1762 and 1810 before falling into ruin.
Portumna Abbey is a very quaint and charming ruin standing in the midst of trees in Portumna Forest Park, just a short stroll from the castle and well worth a visit if in the local area.
GPS: 53.08607, -8.21777