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The OS letters mention that a Dominican Friary was founded in Clonmel in 1269 (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 71). According to Lyons (1936, 288) the Dominican Priory was located on the W side of the junction between Blue Anchor Lane and O'Connell St. He refers to an ancient doorway 'in the Pointed style' in the cellar of the premises on the site (ibid.). In 1541 only two friaries, Carmelite and Franciscan, are mentioned in Clonmel and it has been suggested that the Dominican community of Clonmel were not established until shortly before 1643 and that it only existed until the Cromwellian persecution (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 232-3). There appear to have been four Dominican martyrs between 1649-51 (ibid.). When the Dominicans returned to Clonmel after the Restoration, they could not prove that theirs was an ancient foundation so that the Franciscans prevented them from remaining (ibid.). A sheela-na-gig (TS083-019048-) found in Blue Anchor lane in 1944 is thought to be associated with the Priory (Freitag 2004, 130). (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993, 75).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of revised upload: 30 January 2015
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