Old Mellifont Abbey

The first Cistercian monastery to be built in Ireland

Mellifont Abbey resides on the banks of the River Mattock and was the first Cistercian monastery to be built in Ireland, founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh.

The Abbey became the model for other Cistercian abbeys built in Ireland, with its formal style of architecture imported from the abbeys of the same order in France, its most unusual feature is the octagonal Lavabo (where the monks washed their hands before eating). Little of the original Abbey remains, save the lavabo, some Romanesque arches and a 14th-century chapter house.

The Visitor Centre houses an exhibition on the work of masons in the Middle Ages with fine examples of their craft on display.

Adults €3; Child/Student €1; OAP/Group €2; Family €8.

Free

View Similar Tourist Attractions

• National Gallery of Ireland
• Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
• Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
• Tintern Abbey
• Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
• Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
• Scattery Island Centre
• Tayto Park
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Dingle Oceanworld
• Ferns Castle
• The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
• Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
• Connemara National Park
• Battle of the Boyne
• Aillwee Cave
• Lusk Heritage Centre
• Ballycroy National Park
• Desmond Castle
• King House
• National Library of Ireland
• National Wax Museum Plus
• Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
• Chester Beatty Library
• National Concert Hall
• Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
• King Johns Castle
• Guinness Storehouse
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
• Carrickfergus Museum
• National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
• Blarney Castle
• Florence Court
• Donegal Castle
• Russborough House
• Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
• Dwyer McAllister Cottage
• Kerry County Museum
• Crag Cave
• National Sea Life Centre
• Navan Centre & Fort
• Skellig Michael
• Kilkenny Castle
• Garylough Mill
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
• Natural History Museum
• Museum at the Mill
• Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
• Burren National Park
• Glenveagh National Park
• Little Museum of Dublin
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
• Clare Museum
• Rock of Cashel
• The Old Jameson Distillery
• The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
• Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
• Larne Museum & Arts Centre
• Ulster American Folk Park
• National Transport Museum
• Aviva Stadium
• House of Waterford Crystal
• Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
• Jameson Experience Midleton
• Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
• Ulster Museum
• Jerpoint Abbey
• Dublinia
• Ceide Fields
• Cahir Castle
• Skerries Mills
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
• Ardfert Cathedral
• Dromore Wood
• Aras an Uachtarain
• Portumna Castle & Gardens
• Thomond Park Stadium
• Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
• Coole Park
• Arigna Mining Experience
• Casino Marino
• Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
• Parkes Castle
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
• Castle Ward House & Demesne
• Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
• Famine Warhouse
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• Glendalough
• Hill of Tara
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
• Funtasia Waterpark
• Old Mellifont Abbey
• Malahide Castle
• Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
• Government Buildings
• Caherconnell Fort
• Sligo Abbey
• Galway Atlantaquaria
• Adare Castle
• The Science Gallery
• Somme Heritage Centre
• Emo Court
• Reginalds Tower
• Galway City Museum
• Fort Lucan
• Ross Castle
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
• Leopardstown Racecourse
• Donegal County Museum
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
• Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
• Castlecomer Discovery Park
• Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
• Killarney National Park
• Queens University
• Funtasia Bettystown
• John F Kennedy Arboretum
• Viking Splash Tours
• Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
• Ennis Friary
• Doneraile Wildlife Park
• Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
• Maynooth Castle
• Eagles Flying
• Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
• Listowel Castle
• The Ark
• Glasnevin Museum
• Dungarvan Castle
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
• Skibbereen Heritage Centre
• Giants Causeway
• St Marys Abbey
• The Hunt Museum
• Clonmacnoise
• Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Charles Fort
• Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
• Ormond Castle
• Trim Castle
• Ballyhack Castle
• Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
• Rothe House & Garden
• Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
• Athenry Castle
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Iveagh Gardens
• Dunmore Cave
• Derrynane House
• Tower Museum
• Titanic Belfast
• Patrick Pearses Cottage
• The Main Guard
• Phoenix Park
• Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
• Bushmills Distillery
• Mizen Head Signal Station
• Aughnanure Castle
• Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
• Belfast Zoo
• Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
• Dunbrody Famine Ship
• National Photographic Archive
• Barryscourt Castle
• Boyle Abbey
• Enniskillen Castle Museum
• Adare Heritage Centre
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
• Dublin Castle
• Armagh Planetarium
• St Stephens Green
• St Marys Church
• Farmleigh House & Estate
• Dublin Zoo
• Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
• Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
• Desmond Hall
• Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
• Craggaunowen - The Living Past
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Castletown House
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Hugh Lane Gallery
• VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
• Swiss Cottage
• Avondale House & Forest Park
• Dun Aonghasa
• Armagh County Museum

Local Recommendations

Hospitality

• No. 3 Wine Bar & Restaurant
  (4.1km)NW
• Newgrange Gold Premium Irish Seed Oils
  (5.1km)SW
• Georges Patisserie
  (6.2km)SW
• Rossnaree
  (6.2km)SW
• Conyngham Arms Hotel
  (6.4km)SW
• Slane Castle & Distillery
  (7.2km)SW
• Rock Farm Slane
  (7.3km)SW
• Belview Eggs
  (7.9km)SE
• Stockwell Artisan Foods
  (8.1km)SE
• Bru Bar Bistro
  (8.1km)SE
• Bare Food Company
  (8.2km)SE
• D’Vine Restaurant and Tapas Bar
  (8.2km)SE
• Scholars Townhouse Hotel
  (8.2km)SE
• Kirwans Fish Cart
  (8.2km)SE
• Boyne Brewhouse
  (8.4km)SE
• D Hotel
  (8.6km)SE
• Tankardstown House
  (9.5km)SW
• Sage & Stone
  (10.1km)SE
• Quintessential Wines
  (11.5km)SE
• Boyne Valley Blue Farmhouse Goats Cheese
  (12.1km)SW

Self Catering

• Tankardstown House & Cottages
  (9.5km)SW
• The Cottages
  (15.7km)SE
• Clonabreany House
  (39.4km)SW
• Castletown Gatelodges
  (44.7km)SW
• No. 25 Eustace Street
  (46.2km)SE
• The Merrion Mews & Stables
  (47.1km)SE
• Rostrevor Holidays
  (48.1km)NE

Farmers Markets

• Drogheda - Co Louth - Thursdays
  (8.1km)SE
• Laytown - Sonairte Co Meath - 1st & 3rd Sunday each Month
  (15.6km)SE
• Castlebellingham - County Louth - First Sunday each month
  (18.1km)NE
• Balbriggan Fish & - Co Dublin
  (23.9km)SE
• Kells - County Meath - Saturdays
  (27.2km)SW
• Kells - Co Meath - Saturdays
  (27.2km)SW
• Dundalk - County Louth - Fridays
  (29.7km)NE
• Skerries - Skerries Mills - County Dublin
  (30.0km)SE
• Fingal Food Fayre - Rush - County Dublin
  (34.5km)SE
• Fingal - Swords Co Dublin - Saturdays
  (35.4km)SE
• Carnaross Local Food - Co Meath - Saturdays
  (36.4km)NW
• Malahide - County Dublin - Saturdays
  (38.3km)SE
• Ballymun - Dublin - Every Thursday
  (40.7km)SE
• Castleknock Village Food
  (41.2km)SE
• Portmarnock - Co Dublin - Sundays
  (41.4km)SE
• Honest2Goodness - Glasnevin Dublin 11 - Saturdays
  (42.7km)SE
• Liffey Valley Shopping Centre - Dublin 22 - Fridays
  (43.5km)SE
• Smithfield Outdoor Food - Dublin 1 - Fridays
  (45.6km)SE
• Monaghan Country - Co Monaghan - last Saturday each month
  (45.8km)NW
• Red Stables Food - Clontarf Dublin - Saturdays
  (45.8km)SE
• Temple Bar Food - Dublin City - Saturdays
  (46.1km)SE
• Coppinger Row Outdoor Food - Thursdays
  (46.5km)SE
• Point Village - Dublin - Saturdays & Sundays
  (46.6km)SE
• Dublin Food Co-op - Dublin 8 - Thursdays & Saturdays
  (46.7km)SE
• Pearse Street - Saturdays
  (46.8km)SE
• Howth - County Dublin - Sundays
  (47.1km)SE
• Grand Canal Village - Dublin -
  (47.3km)SE
• Harcourt Street - Dublin 2 - Thursdays
  (47.4km)SE
• Mespil Road Gourmet Food - Dublin 4 - Thursdays
  (47.7km)SE
• Ranelagh - Dublin - Sundays
  (48.2km)SE
• Celbridge - Village at Lyons - Co Kildare - Fridays
  (49.5km)SW

Tourist Attractions

• Old Mellifont Abbey
  (0.0km)SE
• Battle of the Boyne
  (4.2km)SE
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
  (5.5km)SE
• Funtasia Waterpark
  (7.3km)SE
• Funtasia Bettystown
  (15.3km)SE
• Hill of Tara
  (20.7km)SE
• Tayto Park
  (22.2km)SE
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
  (27.3km)SE
• Skerries Mills
  (30.0km)SE
• Trim Castle
  (30.4km)SE
• Lusk Heritage Centre
  (31.1km)SE
• Malahide Castle
  (38.7km)SE
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
  (39.0km)SE
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
  (41.0km)SE
• Maynooth Castle
  (41.1km)SE
• Fort Lucan
  (41.4km)SE
• Farmleigh House & Estate
  (42.5km)SE
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
  (42.9km)SE
• Glasnevin Museum
  (43.0km)SE
• Castletown House
  (43.3km)SE
• Phoenix Park
  (43.5km)SE
• Aras an Uachtarain
  (43.7km)SE
• Casino Marino
  (44.2km)SE
• Dublin Zoo
  (44.6km)SE
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
  (44.7km)SE
• Hugh Lane Gallery
  (45.2km)SE
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
  (45.5km)SE
• The Old Jameson Distillery
  (45.6km)SE
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
  (45.7km)SE
• Kilmainham Gaol
  (45.7km)SE
• National Leprechaun Museum
  (45.8km)SE
• St Marys Abbey
  (45.8km)SE
• Guinness Storehouse
  (46.1km)SE
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
  (46.1km)SE
• National Photographic Archive
  (46.1km)SE
• The Ark
  (46.1km)SE
• Christ Church Cathedral
  (46.2km)SE
• Clare Museum
  (46.2km)SE
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
  (46.2km)SE
• Dublinia
  (46.2km)SE
• National Wax Museum Plus
  (46.2km)SE
• Dublin Castle
  (46.3km)SE
• Chester Beatty Library
  (46.4km)SE
• The Science Gallery
  (46.5km)SE
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
  (46.6km)SE
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
  (46.6km)SE
• Government Buildings
  (46.8km)SE
• National Gallery of Ireland
  (46.8km)SE
• National Library of Ireland
  (46.8km)SE
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
  (46.8km)SE
• Little Museum of Dublin
  (46.9km)SE
• Natural History Museum
  (46.9km)SE
• Viking Splash Tours
  (46.9km)SE
• National Transport Museum
  (47.0km)SE
• St Stephens Green
  (47.0km)SE
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
  (47.0km)SE
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
  (47.2km)SE
• Iveagh Gardens
  (47.3km)SE
• National Concert Hall
  (47.3km)SE
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
  (47.3km)SE
• Aviva Stadium
  (48.0km)SE
• Rathfarnham Castle
  (50.8km)SE

Golf Courses

• County Louth Golf Club (Baltray)
  (13.2km) SE
• Seapoint Golf Club
  (13.9km) NE
• Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club
  (14.9km) SE
• Royal Tara Golf Club
  (20.2km) SW
• Hollywood Lakes Golf Club
  (24.8km) SE
• Headfort Golf Club
  (25.0km) SW
• Dundalk Golf Club
  (26.4km) NE
• Nuremore Hotel & Country Club
  (28.7km) NW
• Knightsbrook Golf Club
  (29.1km) SW
• Roganstown Golf & Country Club
  (31.1km) SE
• Saint Margarets Golf Club
  (34.1km) SE
• Beaverstown Golf Club
  (34.2km) SE
• County Meath Golf Club
  (34.3km) SW
• Forest Little Golf Club
  (36.5km) SE
• Island Golf Club, The
  (37.1km) SE
• Balcarrick Golf Club
  (37.5km) SE
• Greenore Golf Club
  (38.3km) NE
• Carton House Golf Club
  (39.6km) SW
• Malahide Golf Club
  (40.5km) SE
• Rathcore Golf and Country Club
  (41.0km) SW
• Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
  (41.5km) SE
• Castleknock Golf Club
  (42.2km) SE
• Portmarnock Golf Club
  (43.1km) SE
• Saint Annes Golf Club
  (46.2km) SE
• MoyValley Golf Club
  (47.1km) SW
• Royal Dublin Golf Club, The
  (47.1km) SE
• K Club, The - Ryder Cup 2006
  (49.5km) SW
• Castle Golf Club
  (50.7km) SE

Gardens

• Listoke Gardens
  (7.8km)NE
• Beaulieu House, Gardens and Car Museum
  (11.5km)SE
• Knockabbey Castle & Gardens
  (22.3km)NW
• Ardgillan Castle & Demesne
  (26.6km)SE
• Rockfield House
  (28.9km)SW
• Grove Gardens
  (30.2km)SW
• The Talbot Botanic Gardens
  (38.8km)SE
• National Botanic Gardens
  (43.2km)SE
• Primrose Hill
  (43.3km)SE
• Loughcrew Historic Gardens
  (45.1km)SW
• Lodge Park Walled Gardens
  (48.8km)SW
• Dillon Garden, The
  (49.0km)SE
• Glendale Gardens
  (50.7km)SE
• Carysfort Lodge
  (52.8km)SE
• Ballindoolin House & Garden
  (55.1km)SW
• Williamstown Garden
  (55.3km)SW

Nearby Towns/Areas

• Collon
  (4.1km) NW
• Slane
  (6.2km) SW
• Donore
  (6.6km) SE
• Drogheda
  (8.6km) SE
• Duleek
  (10.8km) SE
• Dunleer
  (11.0km) NE
• Termonfeckin
  (13.0km) NE
• Ardee
  (13.6km) NW
• Bettystown
  (15.5km) SE
• Clogherhead
  (16.0km) NE