Ballintubber Abbey is an abbey 2 kilometres northeast of Ballintubber, Mayo in Ireland that was founded by King Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair in 1216. History Despite being suppressed and damaged during the Protestant Reformation, the roofless abbey continued to be used throughout penal times by Catholics. In 1963, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out prior to starting restoration work. By 1966, the nave had been restored and re-roofed, in time for the 750th anniversary of the abbey's foundation although work continued until 1969. In 1997, the Chapter House and Dorter area were restored and re-roofed. In 2016, during the 800th anniversary celebrations, planning permission to restore the entire east wing was granted. The abbey has several modern outdoor attractions, including a very modern abstract Stations of the Cross, an underground permanent Crib, and a Rosary Way. There is a small museum. According to the Ballintubber website and other popular accounts, John O'Mullowny of Ballyhean, an infamous local priest hunter, is buried in the cemetery. A large tree marks the spot. The abbey marks the beginning of Tochar Phádraig, the ancient pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick, reopened by Pilgrim Paths of Ireland. Architecture of Ballintubber Abbey Introduction Ballintubber Abbey was built in 1216 in the Hiberno Romanesque style, characterized by the chevron archivolts and foliate capitals of the three light-transitional windows to the east. The design is a Latin-cross foundation with a nave, crossing transepts, and a rib-vaulted chancel with two chapels for each side. The abbey has gone through various renovations, mainly on re-building portions that became damaged as it withstood history. There are three renovation attempts to note: the first in 1846 led by Archbishop John MacHale, the second in 1881 overseen by George Coppinger Ashlin, finally, the third restoration in 1909 with Reverend Thomas A. Egan and Percy le Clerc leading the project. Renovations In 1265, a fire burned the timber and oak shingles of the nave to ashes, but the stone portion of the east was left standing. The resulting restorations in 1270 had Gothic elements, including the pointed arches seen throughout. The Cromwellian assault in 1653 destroyed the monastic buildings, dormitories, cloisters, and domestic quarters; all of the timber structures inside the abbey were also taken down. After the assault, only the stone vaulted roofs of the chancel, the four sides of the chapels, and the old sacristy remained. The first renovation attempts in 1846, led