Grave Yard Methst. Meetn. Ho. — Abbeylands

Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). In 1414 the pope granted the friary the following rights; 'Relaxation, during ten years, of years and ten quarantines of enjoined penance to penitents who on the six feasts of Our Lord, Whitsun day, the four feasts of, St. Mary the Virgin, the Nativity of St. John Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, the Invention and Exaltation Of Holy Cross and the dedication, and on All Saints, during the octaves of certain of them and the six days of Whitsun week, visit or (vel) give alms for the conservation and sustentation of the Friars Preachers' church of Holy Cross de Arclo, in the diocese of Dublin' (Cal. papal letters, 461). In 1541 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crown granted a 'Lease to Edmund Duffe, gent.; of the site of the priory of friars preachers of Arclow, with appurtenances. To hold for 21 years, at a rent of 20s.—' (Nicholls 1994, 22). On the 27th of January, 1541 an inquistion held at Arklow under a jury consisting of, 'Edmund Edward, Peter Waffer, Patrick Fannyng, Walter Chever, Denis Edward, Patrick Kenne, James Ower, Dermot Kelley, John McGerrer, William McMorysshe, Hugh Carpenter, and Hugh Ballagh' recorded that the Dominican House of Arklow, then listed as in Co. Wexford consisted of the following; 'All the buildings in the precinct are necessary for the farmer, and with a garden cont[aining]. 2 acr[es]., and are worth above repairs 6.s. 8.d. Vill of Arctlo [Arklow]. - 2 parks or closes cont. 3 acr.; 2.s. 3 acr. (greater measure); 2.s. A new chamber; Edmund Duff, for a term of years; value, 6.s. 8.d.; rent, a grain of corn. A messuage; Connor McKee ; 12.d., and for victuals, a quarter of beef (12.d.), 6 cakes (12.d.), 3 gallons of butter (2.s.) ; total, 5.s. A messuage; Thomas Ferrold 5.s.; do.; John Gregory 5.s. ; do.; Hugh Ballagh; 3.s. 4-d. 6 cottages, worth 12.s.; now waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners [Cavanaghs]. 2 vacant pieces of ground; ,2.d. Each tenant of a messuage used to give to the Friars, for their sustenance, from every brewing of beer for sale, 3½ gallons of beer worth 13.s. 4d.; this duty is not rendered now. Each gave 1 hen; 8.d. Total, 23.s. 2.d. Total of the extent, 29.s. 10.d.' (White 1943, 373). Edmund Duff [Duffy] was listed as the occupier of the 'House of Friars Preachers of Arcloo' (ibid., 374). In 1544 the friary lands were granted, 'to John Travers of Dublin, esq., in consideration of the sum of £41 of the site of the monastery of friars preachers of Arclowe, with appurtenances, county Wexford' (Nicholls 1994, 46). According to Brewer (1825-6, 332) 'on part of the site was erected a parish church, the land having been granted for that purpose by Sir Laurence Esmond, Bart. and Benjamin Mountney, Esq.; but this building falling to decay a new church has been recently erected, on a more eligible spot'. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Dominican Friary of the Holy Cross as follows; 'This was founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter and he was buried there in 1285 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). It was suppressed in 1539 but parts of the church and claustral buildings survived until the mid eighteenth century (ibid.). It was located in the rectangular site marked "graveyard" on the south side of Main Street. No building remains survive. The site itself has been turned into a public park with the eighteenth and nineteenth century gravestones arranged around the walls' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The following details were recorded by Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 221); 'In 1414 an indulgence was granted for the conservation of the friars' church. The friary was suppressed in 1539. On 27 Jan. 1541 the jurors found that the buildings and 2-acre site were necessary for the farmer (Edmund Duffy); the possessions (then let to several tenants) included 15 acres, four messuages and six cottages, val. c. 62s., but given as 29s. 10d. because part was waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners: E. The buildings consisted of church and belfry, chapter-house, dorter, hall, three chambers, store, kitchen, etc.; the property was granted in 1544 to John Travers at a small rent. The ch[urch]. and priory stood almost complete in Burgo's time. Stephen O'Kelly, last representative of the order in Arklow, d[ied]. soon after 1835'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021