Old Mellifont Abbey

Old Mellifont Abbey Old Mellifont Abbey is the ruin of the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland. It was founded in 1142 by St.Malachy of Armagh and is now managed by the OPW.

The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh, its most unusual feature is the octagonal Lavabo c. 1200. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons in the Middle Ages with fine examples of their craft on display. Access to site by stone stairway. Location: 10km north-west of Drogheda off the R168 (Drogheda-Collon Road)

Bus Route(s

): Contact Bus Eireann, Travel Centre +353 1 836 6111

Guided Tours: Available on request
Max No: 35 - 40
Duration: 40 minutes

Leaflet/Guide book: English, Irish, French, German, Italian, Spanish. Seasonal Events: Please check in advance using contact details listed above. Photography / Video allowed: Yes, but permit required for commercial purposes

Additional Information: The Visitor Centre is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities.

"Sunday is the day of the week when I am most likely to take the road less travelled". ...
07/06/2026

"Sunday is the day of the week when I am most likely to take the road less travelled".
Robert Frost
Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey.
It is a breezy morning on the banks of the Mattock but a perfect day to blow the cobwebs away with a stroll about the Cloister or why not join the guides on a tour through 900 years of history and archeology.
All welcome

On this day 30 years ago the then Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins, cut the ribbon to op...
06/06/2026

On this day 30 years ago the then Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins, cut the ribbon to open our Visitor Centre. The award-winning conversion of the former An Óige Hostel contains an exhibition of cut stone from the Abbey which, in the words of the Minister on the day "demonstrate the great craftsmanship of the stonecutters as artists in stone". These photos, published in the Drogheda Independent newspaper on June 14th 1996, capture some of the visitors who gathered at Old Mellifont Abbey on that lovely sunny day to mark the occasion.
We are so happy to share this wonderful building with visitors today as part of the guided tour.
All welcome.

05/06/2026

Greetings from Old Mellifont Abbey. Our preparations for Heritage Week 2026 are well underway. Maeve has already begun the task of preparing the tiles for our ever popular Paint Your Own Medieval Mellifont Tile event. Heritage Week 2026 will run from August 15-23 so watch out for the social media updates.
All welcome

"In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes". John Stein...
04/06/2026

"In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes".
John Steinbeck
Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey. The storms have rolled by, some clouds remain but the buttercups and daisies are carpeting the area around the Cloister. The site is sparkling after the rains. A perfect time to visit.
All welcome.

"If I accept the sunshine and warmth, then I must also accept the thunder and lightning". ...
03/06/2026

"If I accept the sunshine and warmth, then I must also accept the thunder and lightning".
Khalil Gibran
Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey. It is bright and breezy this morning but the forecast is not great. There is a risk of thunder later.
It is the first Wednesday of the month so admission is free.
All welcome.

Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey.The Bank Holiday is just over but don't forget access to over 40 OPW sites, includ...
02/06/2026

Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey.
The Bank Holiday is just over but don't forget access to over 40 OPW sites, including Old Mellifont Abbey, are free of charge on the first Wednesday of the month. For further details check out Heritage Ireland
All welcome.

Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey. Although the first day of June is not quite the Sunny Bank Holiday Monday we hop...
01/06/2026

Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey. Although the first day of June is not quite the Sunny Bank Holiday Monday we hoped for, you can be assured of a warm welcome from the Guides today, as of course everyday. Definitely a better introduction to the site than that experienced in the 13th Century by the visitation from the General Chapter who found the gates of Mellifont barred during the so called "Conspiracy of Mellifont".
All welcome.

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." ...
31/05/2026

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."
Ovid
Good morning from Old Mellifont Abbey. Take advantage of the long weekend, join the guides on tour or just have a self guided visit.
All welcome.

Address

Old Mellifont Abbey
Drogheda
CO.LOUTH

Telephone

041 982 6459

Website

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