Grave Yard

Situated on the S side of Abbey Street in the town of Roscrea, the N wall and bell-tower are now used as an entrance into the RC church. A fifteenth-century Franciscan friary (TN012-010010-) founded sometime before 1477 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 258). In 1568 it was recorded that the precincts of the friary measured two acres and contained the friar's house, with dormitory, hall, prior's chamber, chapel, cemetery, garden and two orchards (ibid.). The Civil Survey of 1654-6 recorded that the site had become a large ruined abbey (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 29). In the early 1800s the friary was partially destroyed by the builders of the adjacent parish church (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 415). A large rectangular graveyard containing 18th and 19th century headstones is attached to the S of the franciscan friary (TN012-010010-). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 22 September 2008