Ross Abbey (in ruins)

In low-lying pastureland, close to the td. boundary and the Black River. This Franciscan friary, now a Nat. Mon., has a disputed foundation date (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 78; Gywnn and Hadcock 1970, 258; Leask 1960b, 109). The present well-preserved remains, comprising a church and conventual buildings, are mainly late 15th C in date. The church (E-W; L c. 36.5m, Wth c. 6.2m) consists of a nave and chancel with a four-light pointed arch traceried window in the E gable. At the junction of the nave and chancel is an inserted five-storey crenellated tower with a possible rood loft above its low chancel arch. The nave has a S aisle, off which there is a double S transept containing two chapels. Separate chapels were later added to the E side-wall of the transept and at the W end of the aisle. From beneath the tower, a pointed arch doorway opens to the N into the cloister, around which are ranged a sacristy and conventual buildings in two storeys. A second courtyard lies to the N, with the bake house to the N, the refectory to the E, and the buttery to the W. Adjoining the latter to the N is the kitchen containing a stone-built water/fish tank, and beyond that again, the watermill. There are dormitories on the 1st floor over the kitchens, buttery and refectory, along with a latrine. A three-storey building (L 6.2m, Wth 4.5m), known locally as 'Burke's Castle', abuts the NE corner of the chancel. This may also have been a sacristy with a guest-house overhead. A gatehouse (GA041-047001-), road (GA041-047003-) and field system (GA041-047004-) are associated. (Fahey 1901b, 334-40; Mooney 1955 and 1956, passim; Harbison 1975, 99-100; see also http://monastic.ie/tour/ross-errilly-franciscan-friary/ for a detailed plan of the complex, last accessed 19 July 2018) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 19 July 2018 This monument was taken into State Care under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument No. 50.

Ross Abbey, a Franciscan friary founded in the 13th century, was built in low-lying pastureland near the Black River; its ruins, now a National Monument, reflect medieval monastic architecture and highlight the religious history of the region.