ANNAGHDOWN ABBEY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Founded in 1223, the abbey of St. John the Baptist de Cella Parva was a house of Premonstratensian Canons. The first abbot of the abbey was said to be Thomas O’Malley, who was believed to be the son of a bishop and a nun.

He later went on to become the Bishop of Annaghdown (1242-1250). The abbey survived until 1542 where it was then dissolved under increased pressure from English forces.