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Abbey (Site of)

Religious house, Dominican friars

What is recorded here

Abbey (Site of) is the vanished Dominican Priory of St. Mary, founded in 1229 by Philip de Barry on an island west of the city. Its church, belfry and chapels stood until dissolution in 1541, leaving behind a five-metre wall fragment and carved stones scattered into later hands. The priory still breathes through those surviving pieces, carrying Dominican prayer into ordinary Cork life.
Dominican Priory of St. Mary, on island immediately W of city, towards its southern end. Founded 1229 by Philip de Barry; dissolution in 1541 noted church, belfry, two chapels, other buildings and houses (Bradley et al.1985, 83-6). Wall fragment (H 5m; thickness 1m) of roughly coursed mixed stone with internal batter 2m high, remains surrounding near gateway into modern convent; also from site five carved stones (window and cloisted fragments) now at private residence on Boreenmanagh Road; 14th century ivory figurine of Virgin and Child from priory now kept at Dominican house on Pope's Quay (Bradley et al. ibid). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
The Dominican Priory of St. Mary in Cork City was founded in 1229 by Philip de Barry and featured a church, belfry, and chapels. It was dissolved in 1541 during the Reformation and is significant as a medieval religious site associated with the Dominican Order.

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What survives
Recorded monument

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