Sligo Abbey

One of my favorite experiences thus far has been our impromptu trip to Sligo Abbey. Hoping to break away from the group of 20 that was so embarrassingly tourist-y it hurt, a few of us took a right instead of a left and ended up outside the most amazing structure one hour before closing.

^Inside the abbey 

In the brochure I took, it gives a solid summary of the whole deal. "Known locally as 'The Abbey', this Dominican friary was founded in the mid-13th century by Maurice FitzGerald. The site contains a great wealth of carvings including Gothic and Renaissance tomb structure, well preserved cloisters and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church." 

WOW! Well, I sure was excited about this. Dominicans have a reputation as being largely responsible for carrying out the Inquisition, but on the bright side, the brilliant theologian Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican. Additionally, after Henry VIII decided he was over Catholicism, many monasteries were destroyed. But here we were at one of the oldest remaining structures, in such great condition. 

^Selfie from a crumbling staircase

^Gravestones are all over the place. Interestingly enough, engravers were mostly illiterate in the time period, so you often find misspellings on gravestones.

^Some of the carvings in the abbey have remained in great condition. This is just one example of the many throughout. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture of my favorite carving -- the angel Gabriel with wings and a sword next to Peter, the Vicar of Christ, holding a key to heaven. 

^It was such a beautiful day when we were here. It definitely added to the effect, creating a truly spiritual experience!

Sligo Abbey was a dream. I don't think I've ever been inside a structure so old -- the 1200's! I'm sure the history is terribly brutal if I did enough research. But the remains are absolutely stunning.