In 1183 the north and eastern part of Castlemagner was overrun by Norman invaders named Barry. The eastern end was assigned to William Magner and the Northern end to the ‘Knights Templar’. These were a military order of lay monks drawn from the high ranking Norman ruling families. Those interested in understanding the true nature of this order of military monks can start their search here.
This order constructed a monastery in the present townland of Subulter overlooking the Marybrook bridge on the land occupied by the Taylor family. A manor farm to support this monastery was developed on the site of the present Marybrook House amounting to 600 acres and occupied parts of the present townlands of Subulter, Knocknanuss and Lackaleigh. A site in the southern end of Lackaleigh was set aside for stabling horses for farm work and war horses for the young knights. This site is occupied by the present Assolas house. Continue reading “Monastery of the Knights Templar in Subulter”