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sligo abbey

Welcome Picture of Sligo Abbey

Sligo Abbey

Abbey Street
Sligo
Sligo
Phone: 71 9146406
Fax:
Sligo Abbey was founded in 1252 or 1253 for the Dominicans by Maurice Fitzgerald, 2nd Baron of Offaly, who was also founder of the town. Having escaped the ravages suffered by the now destroyed Sligo Castle in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Friary was accidentally burned in 1414, but was rebuilt two years later by Friar Bryan MacDonagh with assistance from Pope John XXIII.
In 1568 O'Conor Sligo made a petition to Queen Elizabeth not to dissolve the Friary, and this was granted on the condition that the friars became secular clergy. When George Bingham was besieging the castle nearby, he occupied and badly damaged the buildings. The Friary was burned in 1641 by Sir Frederick Hamilton, and it was afterwards granted to Sir William Taffe.
The church has a nave with side aisle and a south transept. The choir, with its eight lancet windows, is the oldest part of the church and dates to shortly after the foundation. The 15th century east window replaced the original three lancet windows.
Description
The altar, with carvings of a rose and a bunch of grapes, is also 15th century, as is presumably also the tower. An unusual feature is the 15th century rood-screen (partly reconstructed) which ran across the church separating the choir from the nave. The transept was added in the 16th century.
In a recess in the north wall of the nave is the O'Crean tomb dated to 1506, bearing panels in front with the Crucifixion in the centre, the Virgin Mary and St. John on either side; other figures are probably to be identified as St. Dominic (in friar's robes), St. Katherine (with remains of a wheel), St. Peter (with keys), St. Michael (with shield and raised sword), and there are other unidentified figures.
The easternmost lancet window in the south wall was blocked up to accommodate the O'Conor Sligo monument of 1624, with a Crucifixion on the top, below it SS Peter and Paul , and below them Sir Donagh O'Conor and his wife Elinor. T
he sacristy and the chapter house beside the cloister are both 13th century buildings, but the cloister itself and the other buildings around it were built in the 15th century. Note the head on the pillar in the north-west corner, and the window in the north wall of the first floor where the reader in the refectory had his desk.
Location
Located in Sligo Town Centre.
Opening Times
Mid March - End October: 10am to 6pm daily.
November - Mid December: Friday, Saturday & Sunday only 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Welcome Picture of Sligo Abbey
Welcome Picture of Sligo Abbey
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