Religious house

A priory of Fratres Cruciferi was founded c. 1195, probably by William Marshall. They were expelled during the 13the century after one of the brothers murdered a townsman. As a result of the expulsion the town was placed under a papal interdict that was not lifted until 1435 (Hore 1900-11, vol. 1, 94-7). By 1295 their property had passed to the Franciscans who had been in the town from c. 1256. The Franciscan house was known as the priory of St. Saviour’s, and some of the duty paid by ships in the port were awarded to it. The friars ensured that their house was enclosed within the walls. At the Suppression in 1541 the church and kitchens were ruinous but there was a cemetery and two small gardens. The friars were finally driven out in 1558 and the last of the buildings removed in 1732. The Franciscan priory was located in the Priory Lane/ Priory St. area and some grave covers, now at St Mary's (WX029-013002-), were recovered from the site. Archaeological testing (07E0968) produced no archaeological material, but did identify part of the town wall (Scully 2010). (Hore, 1900, vol. 1, 94-9; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 215, 257) 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

The priory of Fratres Cruciferi in New Ross was founded around 1195, likely by William Marshall. It was a small religious house dedicated to the Order of the Cross-Bearers, and its brief history ended in the 13th century following a murder committed by one of its members, leading to its expulsion and the town being placed under interdict.