Mellifont was then the property of The 1st Viscount Moore, who was a close friend of Lord Tyrone, and helped persuade him to sign the Treaty. The Moore family, who later became Earls of Drogheda, remained the owners of Mellifont until 1727. William of Orange used Mellifont Abbey House as his headquarters during the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Description Mellifont Abbey is now a ruin. Little of the original abbey remains, save a 13th-century lavabo (where the monks washed their hands before eating), some Romanesque arches and a 14th-century chapter house. Burials Tommaltach Ua Conchobair New Mellifont Abbey New Mellifont Abbey is home to the Cistercian monks and is located in Collon, a small village and townland in the southwest corner of County Louth, on the N2 national primary road. Supported by Cardinal McRory, it was re-established in 1938 by monks from Mount Melleray Abbey who purchased Oriel Temple, the residence of Lord Massareene (formerly the residence of First Baron Oriel John Foster MP the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons), the land was originally owned by the old Mellifont Abbey. In 1945 it was elevated to the status of Abbey. As well as the Farm, they also operate a garden (Mellifont Abbey Gardens) and a nursery/garden centre which is open to the public. As with the Benedictine tradition the abbey offers a guest house for those wishing to stay. In 1998 Dr. Sean Brady (future Cardinal) and Cardinal Cahal Daly officiated at a mass with the Mellifont community at the old Mellifont Abbey, to celebrate 900 years since the Cistercian order was established in Ireland, and the 850 anniversary of the death of St. Malachy, as well as the 60th anniversary of the re-establishment of the community. In 2019 New Mellifont hosted Brothers and Sisters from Cistercian Communities in Ireland, and some from Scotland and England in celebrating the 900th anniversary of the first Cistercian charter of charity Abbots/Superiors Dom Benignus Hickey(1893-1978)†, Superior (21/11/1938 – 22/01/1946); Abbot (22/01/1946 – 06/01/1967) Dom Gerard Kennedy†, Abbot (16/03/1967 – 03/04/1972) Dom Vincent Byrne, Sup. ad nutum 04/06/1972 – 20/08/1974) Dom Enda Ducey(1907-1992)†, Abbot (21/08/1974 – 27/05/1980) - became Abbot of Mount Melleray Abbey in 1980. Dom Finnian Power†, Abbot (27/05/1980 – 27/05/1986) Dom Francis Prendergast, Abbot (27/05/1986 – 27/05/1992) Dom Bernard Boyle(1926-2018)†, Abbot (27/05/1992 – 27/05/2004); Sup. ad nutum 2010 Dom Augustine McGregor, Abbot (2004-2010) - became Abbot