Lough Oughter

Title

Lough Oughter

Also Known As

Holy Trinity Island, Insula Sanctissimae Trinitatis in Lochuachdair, Lacus Superior, Loch Uachtair, Lochwattair, Logh Oghter in the Breifne

Dates

Founded 1237; dissolved ca. 1585

Dedication

Holy Trinity

Affiliation

Lough Key

Medieval Diocese

Kilmore

Circary

Ireland

History

Trinity Island in Lough Oughter was likely home to an early medieval monastery. The Premonstratensian priory there was formally established ca. 1237 at the instigation of Clarus MacMailin, although the first brothers did not arrive from Lough Key until 1250. In the early 1400s, the priory suffered financial difficulties, but appears to have recovered by the end of the century. 

Lough Oughter Priory was suppressed ca. 1585. Its monastic complex was in ruins by 1646, and the site is now in private hands.

Heads of Community

Priors

John I O'Cullinan, fl. 1390
Maurice Odulmean, ?-1412
John II O'Sheridan, 1412-?, 1427-1444
Araltheus Ocathalaan, ca. 1421-1427
Lucas McGallgaile, 1444
Fergal O'Sheridan, 1444-1466
Malachy O'Sherican, 1466-?
William O'Sheridan, fl. 1491
Rory McDermot, 1542-1568

Status

Priory

Bibliography

“Head of an Ancient Stone Cross.” The Breifny Antiquarian Society 1, no. 2 (1921): 192. https://cavantownlands.com/breiffne-antiquarian-and-historical-society-journal/#dflip-df_1408/108/.

Ó Doláin, Séamus. “Trinity Island: A Note on Its History.” Breifne: Journal of Cumann Seanchais Bhréifne 10, no. 41 (2005): 59–61.

Files

Collection

Ireland

Citation

“Lough Oughter,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/276.

Geolocation

Item Relations

This Item DependentOn Item: Lough Key