Members of the society enjoyed the warm hospitality of Karl Matuschka on Saturday 22 August 2026 during a visit to Moone Abbey House. The road to the house is approached through the two splendid piers associated with the former great house of Belan. Moone Abbey House is a beautiful 18th century Palladian-style residence with many subtle features including curved walls and Dutch gables. It was built by the Yates (also spelt Yeats) family circa 1750. They were obliged to sell the property under the Encumbered Estates Act in 1840 when it came into the possession of the Carrolls, who sold to the Boland family in 1910. The current family have owned the property since 1960. An adjacent ‘Ten Pound’ tower house, built in the fifteenth century stands on the banks of the river Griese (also spelt Greese ), a tributary of the Barrow. It is in very good condition and boasts a fascinating history of its own, being once occupied by the O’Dempseys.
The tower house is currently undergoing renovations with scaffolding in place and our members were thus fortunate to be permitted to climb the stairway and walk out onto the roof to enjoy the views. The tower has a corbelled ceiling of over-lapping slates and its walls are lined with nest holes for pigeons, which were once a valuable source of food. Moone Abbey House is named after the now ruined abbey which stands on its lands. The site was originally an early Christian settlement founded by St. Colmcille. The magnificent Moone High Cross, one of the best preserved high crosses in Ireland stands there in all its glory and made a huge impression. It is situated under a canopy which protects it from the weather.
We are indebted to Karl for so generously sharing his time and considerable knowledge about this very historic place in South Kildare.
Photo: A view of Moone Abbey House taken from the battlements of the Moone Tower House (courtesy of our PRO, Orla O’Sullivan)