Mellifont Abbey was Ireland’s first Cistercian Abbey and one of the most important medieval Abbeys in the country. Founded in 1142, the magnificent building took 15 years to build. Today, impressive ruins give a hint of the Abbey’s former grandeur and a Visitor Centre showcases some of the medieval masonry used to build it. The ruins include a gatehouse, an unusual octagonal lavabo, and a church. Old Mellifont Abbey is owned by the state, and guided tours are available.
