We have seen that the Great Abbey of Mellifont had made seven
foundations in the first eleven years. Eight foundations in
total were made before the suppression. The first seven were
Bective (1146), Boyle (1148), Baltinglass (in Kildare and
Leighlin)(1148), Inislounaght (1148), and Manister or
Manisternenay, Co. Limerick (1148), Kilbeggan (1150), Newry
(1153). The final direct foundation by Mellifont was at
Abbeyshrule (1200). By the time of the suppression, Mellifont
had a further twenty indirect filiations. Baltinglass Abbey was
founded under the patronage of Dermot Mac Murchadha, King of
Leinster who was to betray his Race by inviting in the Normans
twenty-one years later. McMorrough was also responsible for the
romanesque Church at Killeshin. His descendants still reside in
the heart of the ancient kingdom of Leinster at Borris House,
near where our Mass for the Pope's Birthday was celebrated in
2012. The Abbey was given a kind of nickname in accordance with
Cistercian custom, and was known as De Vallis S