Chapel in Unknown Townland

The precise location of the chapel or church of St Mary Magdalen mentioned in 1260 and rebuilt in 1308 in the precinct of St John's Priory and Hospital (DU018-020062-) has not been identified (Clarke 2002, 20). In 1388, the Will of John Hamound requested that he be; 'buried in the cemetery of St. John, outside the New Gate [DU018-020377-], before the door of the church of St. Mary Magdalen, and he bequeaths to that church for masses twenty shillings; for wax, fifty pounds' (CARD Vol. 1, 129). This reference indicates that the church of St Mary Magdalen stood in the cemetery of St. John's Hospital. The location of this cemetery and church has not been precisely identified. The site was probably located on the N side of Thomas Street in the area now occupied by the Augustinian friary of St John and the buildings to the E and W of the friary. Described in the Urban Survey of Dublin City as; 'This priory and hospital, known as "Palmer's hospital", was situated outside the New Gate [DU018-020377-]. It was founded by Ailred the Palmer between 1185 and 1188. Both Ailred and his wife took monastic vows together with a number of fellow workers, who became brother and sisters. The hospital was for the poor and infirm. The sisters appear to have looked after the sick and it is clear from the register of the hospital that they had a say in its management (Brooks 1936). In 1308, John Decer, mayor of Dublin, built a chapel of St Mary in the hospital but in 1316 the church of St John and the chapel of St Magdalen were burnt down when the citizens set fire to the Thomas Street suburbs, on the approach of Bruce's army). The site is now occupied by the Augustinian friary of St John' (Bradley and King 1987, vol. 2, 147). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 June 2023