Abbey

The Knight Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalum succeeded the Carthusians in ownership of Kilnalahan at an unknown date before the middle of the fourteenth century.  These were a semi-military monastic order which had begun during the crusades for the protection and religious care of pilgrims to the Holy Land.  The Kilnalahan priory had the distinction of being the remotest Hospitaller foundation in Ireland and within the confines of Connacht there was but one other, Teach-Temple in Sligo.  It is probable that the Knights remained in their parent house in Kilmainham and delegated their pastoral and parochial duties in Kilnalahan to the Franciscan Friars.