friaries roscrea

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....