friaries around central wicklow dunlavin

Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, the town was granted to the Fitzgeralds in Norman times, though the Byrnes held sway there for a considerable time up to 1542, and burned the town in 1580. Romanesque Doorway: In the 18th century Church of Ireland church of St. Thomas, a fine Romanesque doorway of mid 12th century date has been inserted in the porch, though some of its stones have been wrongly re-set. It comes from a medieval church which was dedicated to St. Thomas, and some of it...

Some remains of a Franciscan Friary may be seen in the grounds of the parish priest's house. Founded by one of the Fitzgeralds in the thirteenth century, it later came under the patronage of the O'Byrnes. After the dissolution of the monasteries at the time of the Reformation the building became a courthouse later it was used as a store for war equipment. The heritage centre in the modern courthouse provides a genealogical service and has some interesting artefacts relating to the hist...