St Johns Church — Abbeycartron

At the N edge of Longford town (LF013-026----) within a graveyard (LF013-026002-). Established c. 1400 by the O'Farrells and dedicated to St Bridget (McNamee 1940b, 39; McNamee 1951, 8, 11-13; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 227). Following a fire in 1429 alms were requested for the 'restoration and completion of the Friars Preachers' House of St. Bridget' (Cal. papal letters 1909, vol. 8, 94). Granted to Richard Stayne in 1566, to Nicholas Malby in 1579 (Nicholls 1994, vol. 2, 95, 492) and to Francis Annesley in 1615 (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 287). Depicted on an early 17th-century map of Longford barony as a small rectangular church, named 'Longford Abbey', standing near the bank of the Camlin River (BL, Cotton MS Augustus I.ii.24). In the late 17th century it was stated that 'there was a Priory of the Order of St. Dominick in this towne, now the Church said to be founded by Cornelius or Concober O'Fferrall' (Downing 1932, 21). McNamee (1954, 213) recorded that the Dominicans survived in Longford up until the mid-18th century and suggested that St John's Church (C of I) was built on the site of the priory. This church was the parish church of the 17th-century borough and while the present building appears to be modern, according to the local caretaker two walls of the priory were incorporated into it (Bradley 1985, 37). Wall foundations, probably also associated with the priory, were discovered to the N of the church when graves were being dug (ibid.). (Moore 2007, No. 26) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 June 2013