Abbeydorney Abbey

Abbeydorney Abbey, also historically known as Kyrie Eleison Abbey or Odorney, is a former monastic site located in County Kerry, Ireland. Its origins trace back to 1154 when it was founded by the O Torna, chieftains of the region, for the Cistercian order. This foundation held the distinction of being the sole medieval Cistercian house established within County Kerry.

The Cistercians themselves bestowed upon the abbey the name Kyrie Eleison, a Greek phrase meaning 'Lord Have Mercy'. This naming convention was characteristic of the order's tradition, often selecting names that resonated with the local geography. In this instance, the word 'Kyrie' bore a phonetic similarity to 'Ciarrai', the Irish name for the county itself.

The abbey played a role in the broader history of the Cistercian order in Ireland. Christian O'Conarchy, the initial abbot of the influential Mellifont Abbey, retired to Abbeydorney and spent his final years there, passing away and being buried on the site in 1186. Later, in 1227, a subsequent abbot faced deposition following his involvement in the significant 'Conspiracy of Mellifont', a period of internal conflict within the Irish Cistercian houses.

The monastic community at Abbeydorney was ultimately dissolved in 1537 as part of the wider dissolution of monasteries. Today, the remnants of the abbey are visible, primarily comprising the 15th-century abbey church, which features a notable west tower, and sections of the original claustral buildings. The grounds are presently utilized as a cemetery, marked by numerous gravestones.