Nestled on the shores of Lough Carra at the foot of the Partry Mountains, seven miles south of Castlebar, Ballintubber is an ancient and picturesque village, most famous for its abbey, which was founded in 1216 by King Cathal O'Conor.
It has been fully restored over the years and now ranks as the only church in Ireland, commissioned by an Irish King, still in daily use. In recent years, it has become a popular wedding venue for couples seeking a distinctive and historic setting. The abbey has seen many ‘celebrity weddings’ including the marriage of actor Pierce Brosnan to Keely Shaye Smith and Westlife lead singer Shane Filan to Gillian Walsh.
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The history of Ballintubber dates back to pre-Christian times, when people from the east came through Ballintubber, on their way to the druidic site now called Croagh Patrick. Baile an Tobair means 'Village of the Well'.
When Saint Patrick brought Christianity to the west of Ireland in 460 A.D., he founded a church at Ballintubber and baptised converts to Christianity at the well, where there is stone (reputedly) marked with the impression of his knee. It was from here he started his pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick.
A nine hole, par 3 golf course surrounds the Abbey, with impressive views of Lough Carra and Croagh Patrick in the distance.
