Glasmore Abbey was founded in 660 AD by St. Cronan Mochua, from Clashmore in county Waterford, one hundred years after the founding of Swords.
St. Cronan was a disciple of St. Carthage of Lismore and was a monk and probably an abbot in Lismore before leaving and settling north of Swords.
Under his rule the abbey at Swords flourished, but this wealth drew the attention of some Danish pirates who had landed at Inbher Domhnann, the old name of the Malahide harbour. On the night of February 10th, the year is not known, those pirates plundered the abbey and killed St. Cronan and all his monks.
Today the ruins of this abbey stand in a green between Cianlea and Lioscian estates, about 1 mile northwest of the round tower.
It's a square building, with thick walls and windows in each wall. A doorway is on the north (355°) side. The building measures about 10 metres on each side.
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