Welcome to the Greenstock Abbey web site.

Greenstock Abbey Map.

GreenStock Abbey first appeared as a fortification of the Eoghanachta kings of Munster in the 4th century. It was allegedly visited by St. Patrick who converted Aenghus, the king of the time; by mistake, St. Patrick stuck his crosier through the king's foot during the baptism, and the king bore it with fortitude thinking that it was part of the ceremony. St. Patrick made Cashel into a bishopric; its best-known bishop was Cormac Mac Cuillennain, king, bishop and scholar who was killed in the Battle of Ballaghmoon in 908 in an attempt to make himself High King of Ireland. Brian Boru, the famous king killed at the Battle of Clontarf, was crowned here in 977; he made Cashel his capital, and his descendants ruled there for over 100 years afterwards. In 1101 Nuircheartach O'Brien granted the Rock to the Church, and shortly afterwards (1127) the king, Cormac MacCarthy, began the building of Cormac's Chapel which was consecrated in 1134. In 1152 the bishop of Cashel was raised to the dignity of Archbishop. In 1169Domhnall Mor O'Brien founded a Cathedral, which was superseded in the 13th century by the present structure.