The poor remains at Killamanagh are those of a priory founded in 1260 by St. John de Cella Parva, the same one that can be found related to Annaghdown, and was populated by the Premonstratensian Canons, also known as the White Canons, a religious order founded in 1120 by St. Norbert in France. This new order would follow the Rule of St. Augustine added with a greater austerity.
This priory was dissolved in 1542 under King Henry VIII.
What can be seen today is a long and very narrow building aligned to the east (95°). All four walls survive, though at different heights. The most intact walls are the north and east ones.
Three pointed arch doorways are in the north, west and south walls. A small lintelled window is in the north wall. In the east wall is a narrow splayed window. A small niche, an ambry, is in the north wall next to the east wall.
To the south of the ruins there's a burial ground which appears to be still in use. A mausoleum to the memory of Henry Burke was erected in the southeast corner of the graveyard.
Outside the north wall of the building there are the outlines of two additional buildings.
|