Meelick is a rural area bordering on counties Offaly and Tipperary, sitting right on the confluence of the Shannon and the Little Brosna rivers. Meelick parish church is one of the few medieval churches in Ireland still used by the Catholic Church. Meelick also plays host to a magnificent 15th century Franciscan friary, situated on a hill overlooking the River Shannon.

The beautiful, historic Meelick Abbey is situated in East Galway, on the banks of the River Shannon.  Land for the Abbey was given by the O’Maddens.  The church and sacristy of the original friary are still in use making it one of the oldest churches in Ireland still in use for public worship. 

In 1414, the Bishop of Clonfert was granted papal permission to found four Franciscan Friaries.  It is likely that Meelick was one of these.  It has been recorded that a Breasail O’Madden may have been the founder.  By 1445, the friary had fallen into disrepair, when an indulgence was granted so it could be rebuilt.

The Friary was refounded in 1479, the year in which the foundation became Observant.  The Irish Annals record Lord O’Madden as its founder.  It is likely this Lord O’Madden, chief of his clan, lived at Lismore Castle, a few miles from the abbey.

Suppressed in 1559, it was restored in 1595 only to be ruined and pillaged numerous times.  By the early 17^th century (1609) the site was in the possession of the Earl of Clanricarde.  A ruin at this time; no friar had lived there for a long time.  In 1630, a chapter of friars from Galway decided that Meelick Abbey should be restored.  Records tell us that Corpus Christi was celebrated in Meelick in 1643.

Later, when monasteries were being suppressed, the monks fled and took refuge in the nearby woodlands or on Friar’s Island.  They returned to rebuild and became involved in local parochial work in Fahy and Meelick.  The last friar of Meelick died in 1852 and the abbey was abandoned with no friar available to take care of it.  Recent renovations were carried out on the church in 1984 and on the dwelling house and other ruins in 1986.

The main features to take note of inside the present church include the wall memorials to local families; O’Maddens, O’Kelly, Horan, Daly and Cuolahan; the Carved Figure of St. Francis and the beautiful east window.  The churchyard has many fine eighteenth and nineteenth century tombstones including memorials to: Pat Madden, captain of the Galway team which played in the first All-Ireland Hurling final (1888); Joe Salmon, one of the great hurlers of the modern times and An tAthair Mac Fhinn (1895-1987), the renowned scholar and writer.

A very old tradition, the annual Meelick Triduum, still takes place in Meelick Abbey each August.  The Triduum is three days of Franciscan celebration when visiting Franciscans preach at Mass each day and hear Confessions.  It is also the occasion for gaining the special Portiuncula Indulgence, by visiting the church at any time during the three days.  It ends on the 2^nd August, the feast of the Dedication of the Portiuncula Church of St. Francis at Assisi. 

The ancient burial ground beside Meelick Abbey has many fine tombstones including one, which displays Pat Maddens epitaph, captain of the first All-Ireland Hurling Team.

Greenways Festival 2003

Meelick is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events