Ballinrobe - Ballintubber Abbey

9mi/15km north of Ballinrobe, on a by-road to the right of the N84, is Ballintubber or Ballintober Abbey (National Monument), an Augustinian house founded in 1216. Since then - in spite of the devastation wrought by Cromwell's troops in 1653 - it has continued in use as a place of worship down to the present day. The church is cruciform in plan. In a chapel on the south side of the choir is an elaborate altar-tomb with a row of finely carved figures on the pediment. The church and cloister were excellently restored in 1963-66.

The abbey lay on the pilgrim road to Ireland's holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, which can be glimpsed in the distance through the arches of the cloister.