The Abbot of Dercongal or Abbot of Holywood (later Commendator of Holywood) was the head of the Premonstratensian monastic community of Dercongal Abbey (or Holywood Abbey as it was later called). The history of the abbots of the house is obscure and very few are known by name. The following is a list of abbots and commendators who are known:
List of known abbots
Odo Ydonc, 1225 Dungald, 1296 Walter, 1356–1372 William Adougan, 1394–1415 Thomas Adunyl, 1432 Nicholas Bilsack, 1474–1491 John Douglas, 1485–1491 John MacCanish, 1490 John Welch, 1491-1507 x 1519 John Maxwell, 1516-1523Became abbot of Dundrennan (1524-1529).
List of known commendators William Kennedy, 1524-1540Also abbot of Crossraguel (1520-1547). Thomas Campbell, 1548–1579 James Johnston of Dunskellie, 1580–1600 John Johnston of Castlemilk, 1600–1617 Thomas Forrester, 1617
Notes
Bibliography Watt, D.E.R. & Shead, N.F. (eds.), The Heads of Religious Houses in Scotland from the 12th to the 16th Centuries, The Scottish Records Society, New Series, Volume 24, (Edinburgh, 2001), pp. 97–9
See also Dercongal Abbey