friaries ireland

The present massive tower, or donjon, was originally one of three towers interspersed in the curtain wall of a strong Norman castle which was also guarded by two semicircular towers and a gatehouse (parts of which remain to the south of the tower). The tower has 5 storeys, and the walls are up to 20 feet thick. A southern window-niche opening off the second floor has Romanesque decoration on the inside, while there is early Gothic decoration on a chimney piece in the floor above.

The...

The Franciscan Friary at Fair Hill was built on the site known as Martyr's Hill, a place of public execution in the 17th century. The stained glass window over the main entrance is by the famous Irish artist Harry Clarke and is said to be one of the finest in Ireland. The church also has a magnificent high altar, beautifully carved in wood....

In the present friary church parts of a 15th century church survive, including the nave, south transept and tower, as well as the south window (though not its glass). Nothing remains of the chancel or of the original domestic buildings. The church was given its present form in 1827 when the Franciscans returned to their old monastery. The church was refurbished in 1976....

The gateway to the present Catholic parish church is part of a Franciscan friary founded by Maelruanigh O'Carroll before 1477. Only the east and north walls of the chancel, the bell tower and parts of the northern nave arcade remain, and some other pieces have been built into the walls. Near the west end of the modern church is a pillar with the carving of an animal which was removed here from Timoney Park 8km away and which may date to the 8th century....

Callan Friary The village of Callan is associated with religion as Edmund Rice was born in this village. Rice was the founder of the religious order, known as the Christian Brothers,which were begun at the end of the 18th century. The Christian Brothers are credited with educating the less wealthy people of Ireland. The cottage is located at Westcourt, just outside the village and is marked by a plaque. The Friary was founded for the Augustinians in 1462, by Eamonn Butler of Portrathbut it wa...

In 1478 John O'Connor Kerry founded this Friary for the Franciscans, probably on the site of an older monastery founded by St. Lachtin (died 622). It consists of a long church with north transept and some domestic buildings. The west window of the church has an attractive flame-like form. There are two tomb-niches in the nave and a triple sedilia in the choir. Around the cloister can be seen the remains of domestic buildings, including the refectory on the east side, with the dormitory above...

Founded possibly by the Mac Carthy Reagh, Lord of Carbery, in 1240 or by William de Barry during the reign of Edward 111 for the Friars of the Strict Observance of St. Francis. The buildings date from various periods. The original church was much shorter than the present one, extending only as far westwards as the third arch from the tower. The church was probably lengthened when the tower was added by Edmund de Courcy, Bishop of Ross, who died in 1518. There is an aisle and a transept with...

A church which stood on the site was burned in 1278, but two years later DeClare built it up as a castle forming a square with massive rounded towers at the corners. Parts of these towers still survive. In 1236 the garrison killed an Irish chief called O'Liddy, whereupon the Irish under Cuvea Macnamara attacked and ransacked the castle. By 1350 another church was built on top of the castle ruins, but much of this church was renewed by Sioda Cam Macnamara around 1433 when the Franciscans were...

The Abbey of St. Francis was built in 1269 and has been rebuilt on several occasions since, the last reconstruction being completed about 1884. The oldest part of the building is the tower which dates from the 14th century. The most significant recent addition was the shrine of St. Anthony, which opened in 1959 and the stained glass windows which were put in 1960....

The Franciscan Friary was founded in the 15th century and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The tower was added after the church was built and is the only Franciscan tower in Ireland which is as wide as the church. The cloister and its associated buildings are complete and an old Yew Tree stands in the centre. The monks were finally driven out by the Cromwellians in 1652.

There are guided tours available on request.

There is a public car park close to the site.