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Origins and History
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Abbeys
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The Abbeys of Kildare
Three new religious foundations were established in and
around Kildare town in the 13th. century. The ruins of these
foundations are locally called "abbeys" and are named after
the colour of the habits worn in medieval times by the monks
of the foundations.
Grey Abbey
On the Athy road, 1 kilometre from the town centre.
A Franciscan foundation it is named after the grey habits
worn by the order in medieval times. Founded between 1254
and 1260, it was endowed by the powerful Fitzgerald family.
A number of the Earls of Kildare are buried there. The friary
was suppressed in 1539. Now in ruins and in a dangerous condition.
White Abbey
On the west of the town, ½ kilometre from the town centre.
A Carmelite foundation named after the white Carmelite habits.
Founded in 1292, it had a school with a famous teacher - David
O'Buge who was a graduate of Oxford and had taught in Germany.
Suppressed in 1540 the Carmelite community was dispersed.
They returned to Kildare in the 18th. century and have maintained
a community here since. There are no remains of the original
foundation on the site. The present church was completed in1887.
A number of sculptured stones from Grey Abbey tombs are inset
in the wall on the right hand side of the sanctuary.
Black Abbey
 In the grounds of the National Stud at Tully about 2 kilometres
from the town. A preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of
St. John of Jerusalem who wore black habits. It was founded
in the late 13th. or early 14th. century. Little is known
of the foundation, though it was important enough to have
had a number of Chapters of the order held there. Also suppressed
in 1538. The ruins are set in an ancient graveyard.
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