rathfran dominican friary and megaliths

The Dominican Friary: the friary was founded by the de Burgh or a MacJordan for the Dominicans in 1274. the 13th century church is a long rectangular structure with a small crucifixion panel over the west door and the remains of a fine triple lancet east window. Possibly as late as the 15th century some of the lancet windows in the south wall were built up, and at the same time a separate aisle was added with a fine window. The nave was partially rebuilt in the 15th century. To the north of the church there were originally two cloisters, but only the foundations remain to show where they stood. The living quarters to be seen north of the church probably date from the 16th century and incorporate part of the original sacristy. Bingham burned the friary in 1590. The friars remained in the neighbourhood down to the 18th century, though not necessarily in the friary. Megaliths: As for the megalithic tombs, there is a wedge-tomb with large boulders making up the surrounding kerbstones near the road, and near the top of the hill there are two stone circles.