There can be no doubt that a pile of buildings once occupied and enclosed the whole space from the old gateway to the church, forming a rectangle, of which the church was the fourth side. The precise purposes these buildings served at Mellifont can now be only conjectured; for, in different monasteries, local wants determined in a great measure the allocation of this site to uses which varied with the circumstances of each community. That is not, however, to be understood of what are called the "Regular Places;" for these were held to be indispensable, and occupied almost the same position in every monastery. The intervening space here between the gate-house and the church is now covered over with the debris of ancient buildings, which local tradition says once occupied the side of the hill on which, and about where, a few modern cottages now stand. Approaching nearer to the ruins, a modern mill obtrudes itself upon the scene, and one cannot help wishing it transported beyond the plane of his observation.[1] [Illustration: PLAN OF CLAIRVAUX BY DOMMILLEY 1708 1. Entrance. 2. Abbot's House. 3. Guest House. 4. Stables. 5. Church. 6. Sacristy. 7. Cell for Books (Common Box). 8. Stairs leading to Dormitory. 9. The Chapter-House. 10. Parlour. 11. Former Novitiate. 12. Cloisters. 13. Stairs to Dormitory. 14. Calefactory. 15. Refectory. 16. Kitchen. 17. Lavabo (Octagon). 18. Cemetery. 19. St. Bernard's Cell. 20. The Prior's Chambers. 21. Chapel of the Counts of Flanders. 22. Scriptoria. 23. Lesser Cloister. 24. Hall for Theses. 25. Theological School. 26. Infirmary. 27. Common Room of the Infirm. 28. Novitiate. 29. Abbots' Council Chamber. 30. Garden.] [Illustration: MELLIFONT ABBEY GROUND PLAN]