Religious house — Augustinian friars in New Ross

Augustinian Friars were established in New Ross in the late 13th or early 14th century. Traditionally, it is thought to have been founded by William de la Roche in 1320, but they were in the town before that date (Hore 1900, vol. 1, 100), and it is suggested that Gilbert de Clare may have been the founder (Butler 1976, 81-2). In 1484 the New Ross house adopted the Observant reforms. It was suppressed in 1540 when the priory consisted of a church, belfry, hall and other buildings, and a cemetery. The exact location is uncertain but it is thought to have been on South St., where St Michael's Theatre now stands. Some dressed stonework from it was in an entry to a yard on South St. but it cannot be traced now. The Augustinians returned to New Ross in the early 18th century, and from 1725 began to establish themselves on High Hill where they built a church in 1836 (Butler 1976, 94-8). (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 301; Butler 1976, 80-90; 94-101) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 2 August, 2012