Travelmania Ireland - Adare Augustinian Friary (Black Abbey), County Limerick

Adare Augustinian Friary (Black Abbey), Co. Limerick

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Description

The Adare Friary, located in Adare, County Limerick, formerly known as the "Black Abbey" (because the Augustinian friars wore a black habit.), is an Augustinian Friary founded in 1316 by the Earl of Kildare. It is now known as "St. Nicholas' Church of Ireland" parish church, and school.

The Augustinian friars first came to Dublin from England in about 1260. They were invited to Adare by John FitzThomas FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare in 1316 and given land and houses in the town.

By 1541 the Augustinians owned nearly 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land, several cottages and gardens in the village and a fishing weir on the river. As part of the Tudor suppression of Irish Monasteries at the end of the 16th century, the Augustinians were driven out of Adare and had moved to Limerick City by 1633.

Many of the features of the friary are very well preserved, particularly the small 15th century cloister and sedilia.
In 1814, the refectory (dining area) of the friary was rebuilt as a school which is still used today. The Dunraven family continued restoration work on the friary through the 19th century.

There are three three-light windows in the chancel. One of them is encroached on by the tower. Another is a fine five-light east window. There is a piscina with missing basins and a sedilia under the tower. Another tomb niche in the north wall of the nave and two tomb niches in the north wall of the chancel. The very narrow square-headed window in the north wall of the chancel is possibly a lepers' squint. After the Suppression in 1539 the property was leased to John Gold and others before being granted with certain other monasteries to Sir Henry Wallop in 1595

More about Monastic Sites in Ireland you will find HERE.