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Located in low-lying field of tillage. This site is associated with the Priory of St. Mary which was endowed for nuns by John Comyn, archbishop of Dublin, c. 1190 (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 311, 371). The convent of Arroasian nuns moved from Lusk to Gracedieu after 1195 AD. All that survives of the nunnery is the SE corner containing a segmental arched doorway and vaulted passage. It is built of roughly coursed masonry. There is a recess in S wall of entrance. The south wall extends intermittently (L c. 18-20m). Significant vegetation growth. St Bridget's well lies W of site (DU007-015003-) and Lady well in field to S (DU007-015004-). Excavations to the W of the nunnery exposed remains of three structures; a medieval building which had been demolished in the 17th century defined by two substantial, earth-bonded walls (int dims. L 17m, Wth 13m; Wth 1m) rising to two courses and built directly on a cobbled surface. Also exposed were the foundations of side walls of a possible post-medieval house/farm (L 7.3m, Wth 4m, T 0.7m) a cobbled surface, likely to represent a laneway (Wth 6m) bounded by a lintel drain and a ditch which fed a millrace to the S of the site (Gowen 1989, 16-17).
Compiled by: Geraldine Stout
Updated by: Christine Baker
Date of upload: 29 November 2014
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