ABBEYMAHON, a parish, in the union of Bandon, barony of Ibane and Barryroe, county of Cork, and
province of Munster, 1 1/2 mile (E. S. E.) from Timoleague; containing 3261 inhabitants. This parish is
situated on the north-west side of Courtmacsherry bay, on the south coast. It formerly constituted part of the parish of Lislee, from which it was separated on the erection of an abbey by some Cistercian monks ; the abbey stood close to the shore, and was endowed by Lord Barry with 18 plough lauds, but was not entirely completed at the general suppression of monasteries, when its possessions were granted to the Boyle family. The parish comprises 4482 statute acres : there is a considerable extent of bog, which supplies plenty of fuel. The ordinary manures are the sand and sea-wrack afforded by the shore of the bay, in collecting which, during the season, numerous persons find employment. The living is a perpetual cure, in the diocese of Ross, and in the patronage of the Earl of Shannon, in whom the rectory is wholly impropriate, and who allows the curate £50 per annum. Divine service is performed in a private house licensed by the bishop. In the Roman Catholic divisions this parish is the head of a district comprising also Lislee, Kilsillagh, and Donoghmore, and containing chapels at Abbeymahon and Lislee. The ruins of the abbey consist of the walls of the church, and a square tower mantled with ivy.
Extract from: Lewis – A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland
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