Franciscan Friary

On the now-reclaimed St Stephen's Island on E side of the River Corrib just outside N gate of Galway town (GA094-100----). This Franciscan friary, founded by Wm. de Burgo in 1296, stood to N of the present Franciscan church in Francis St. The scale and layout of buildings is unclear but representations appear on a number of 16-17th-C maps. In 1657 'all the buildings...demolished' except the church which was reused as a court house. Reoccupied and repaired in 1689 and 1723-4, and completely rebuilt in 1781. Amongst its possessions was a watermill (GA094-102003-). (Hardiman 1820, 264-73; Jennings 1947; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 250-1) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

William de Burgo founded the Franciscan Friary in Townparks around 1296; it was dedicated to St. Francis and reflects the mendicant religious movement of the late 13th century. The friary was significant as a religious and charitable centre in medieval Galway.