wicklow friary

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 its features resemble those at St. Saviour's Priory in Glendalough, built about the same time. Franciscan Friar: The O'Tooles and O'Byrnes founded a monastery here for the Conventual Franciscans in 1279 in gratitude for a victory won over the Fitzgeralds. The monastery was granted to Henry Harrington in 1564. All that remains are a portion of the nave, the south transept with a 13th century window, and the arch of a 15th century tower.