Lisgoole Abbey

FoundationLisgoole Abbey, or the Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Mary, was formerly located on the southern banks of upper Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The site occupied the old Irish monastery of St Aid but was taken over by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine in 1106 or 1145 and was dedicated by Mc'Noellus Mackenlef, King of Ulaid. The sight has also been referred to as Lesa Gabail/Lesa Gabhail, Lisngabail, Lesa gabhail/lios gabhail, Leasa Gabhail/lesa gabail, Lisgabhail and Lis Gabhail .HistoryThe abbey was burned in 1360 together with those in Devenish, Roscommon, Sligo, Fenagh and Drumlias but was soon restored. During the reign of King Richard of England there is reference to the wife of Abbot of lisgooles Einri Mac Caba and their daughter Aine. Escaping the worst excesses of religious persecution, the abbey remained in use until its community eventually dwindled, so much so that an agreement was drawn up by the then abbot Cahill McBrien McCuchonnaght Maguire in 1583 to hand over the abbey to the Franciscan order. Even though reconstruction of a new abbey was taking place the monks were forced to leave in 1598.Plantation eraDuring King James's inquisition into the designation of the lands of Fermanagh, the lands of Lisgoole Abbey were given to Sir Henry Brunckar . The allocation covered the abbey and the area of the late Abbey of Cannons in Lisgoole, which in turn included the old church and yard. The specific area was designated as 6 "quarters" of land containing 24 parcels known as tithes, each tate estimated to contain 30acre in "country measure". Associated with these lands were other traditional payments given to Ballinsaggart and other associated islands, together with the ownership of the late Abbey of St Francis, which is situated near Lisgoole Abbey.