castleyons dominican friary

Founded in 1307, by John de Barry for the Carmelite Friars, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The present ruins are, however, probably of 15th century date, consisting of a nave-and-chancel church, and the eastern and western portions of the domestic buildings. There is a fine west doorway in the church with a twin-lighted window above it. The tower which divides the nave and chancel of the church is only partially preserved, though the spiral staircase within its walls is preserved up to the top level. After the Reformation, the Friary came into the hands of the Earl of Cork who gave a life interest in the property to his daughter Alice 'to buy her pins'. During the Penal times, the Carmelites, Franciscans and Dominicans were associated titularly or otherwise with the Priory. The last titular Carmelite Pior was John O'Neile who died in 1760. In the 18th century it served as a hedge school. The south wall of the church fell into 1871.