Augustinian canons

Augustinian canons. St Malachy was the chief promoter of the Augustinian canons. His first contacts were with the canons of Guisborough in Yorkshire and these may have influenced some of the foundations made before 1140.

His visit to the Augustinians of Arrouaise in France in 1140 occurred at a time when the community was making new foundations. The Arroasians had adopted many of the Cistercian observances (including the annual general chapter) and Malachy introduced their observance into a number of monasteries in the north of Ireland. They were promoted by Laurence O'Toole (Lorcán Ua Tuathail) in the province of Dublin and established in some Munster monasteries at the beginning of the 13th century. They received widespread support from Gaelic and Anglo‐Norman patrons but were isolated from the rest of the order by 1200. By the late 13th century most houses had dropped the Arroasian observances and conventual life had collapsed in many houses in Gaelic areas by the 15th century.

The Augustinian canons of the congregation of St Victor also had a number of houses in Ireland, the most important of which was the abbey of St Thomas the Martyr in Dublin (founded 1177).

Colmán N. Ó Clabaigh