Franciscan Convent (in Ruins)

Franciscan friary which was founded by William Delamar in the thirteenth century and was reformed into an observant order in 1460 (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 241, 256). The patronage of the friary changed to the Nugents after the extinction of the Delamere line. In 1540 the friars had abandoned the friary which was described as consisting of 'a hall with buttery and kitchen, a church with cloister and a chapter-house beneath a dormitory, another hall with a chamber and other offices, all in sufficient repair, also a malt-house, brew-house and bakery, cemetery with a small wood, a garden, orchard and close, the site of 6 or more acres being surrounded with ditches of running water; outside were 43 acres of land, and a small island' (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 256). The friary was twice burnt and it was raided by the English at least six times between 1590 and 1617 (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 256). Today the franciscan abbey is still in use and incorporates portions of the medieval structure (SMR file). The medieval S transept forms the nave of the present Franciscan church.. The archway under tower is now a chapel shrine to St. Anthony (SMR file).

The Franciscan Convent (in Ruins) in Abbeyland was founded by William Delamar in the thirteenth century and reformed into an observant order in 1460; it was later under the patronage of the Nugent family. As a Franciscan friary, it reflects the medieval religious reform movements and the spread of mendicant orders in Ireland.