8/1/04: Ancient ruins behind the Ballintubber Abbey. Ballintubber's history goes back to pre-Christian times; people came from the east through Ballintubber on their way to the holy mountain on the west coast - now called Croagh Patrick. When St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in c.441AD, he founded a church at Ballintubber. The present Abbey was founded in 1216 by King Cathal O'Conor. It is the only church in Ireland still in daily use that was founded by an Irish king.