Sorted by: Franciscan Monastic Sites
Adare Franciscan Friary, Co. Limerick
Begun in 1464 and dedicated to St. Michael the friary (now in ruin), located in the heart of the Adare Manor Golf Club, is still beautifully preserved with numerous gables.
Ardfert Franciscan Friary, Co. Kerry
The remains of a Franciscan friary located about half a mile to the east of the cathedral. It was probably founded by Thomas Fitzmaurice 1st Baron of Kerry about 1253. The tower was added later in the 15th century.
Armagh Franciscan Friary, Armagh, Co. Armagh
It was founded by Archbishop Patrick O'Scannail in 1263/64. The ruins of the Friary and the Palace Stables Heritage Centre stand in the grounds of the Palace Demesne, built in 1769 by Primate of Ireland, Archbishop Robinson.
Askeaton Franciscan Abbey / Friary, Co. Limerick
The abbey is still an impressive ruin and has many interesting features: limestone cloisters, stone carving of St. Francis, the burial site of two of the Irish martyrs, Partick O'Healy and Conn O'Rourke, the Stephenson tomb, the inscription to Martinez de Mendoza (the Askeaton Pirgrim, died in 1784).
Balleighan / Balleeghan Franciscan Abbey, Co. Donegal
The current friary was remodeled by Donal and Calva O'Donnell in 1457. It has been a major site of worship to the O'Donnells since then. The Abbey was later associated with Kilmacrenan Franciscan Friary. It was preserved until the 1780's and there is a tomb inside for the Steward family. One of the gravestones in the graveyard has a scull and crossbones.
Bonamargy / Bonamargie Franciscan Friary / Priory, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim
Remains of a Franciscan Friary founded in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan. East range of cloister, gatehouse and church are virtually complete except for the roof. Many interesting features including a burial vault containing the remains of the celebrated MacDonnell chieftain, Sorley Boy, as well as several Earls of Antrim.
Buttevant Franciscan Friary, Co. Cork
This abbey was founded in 1254 by Donal de Barry, grandson of Philip de Barry, and dedicated to Thomas a Beckett. The ruined abbey, of which only the church still remains, contains a skeleton-filled two story crypt together with some well preserved sarcophocis.
Castledermot Abbey, Franciscan, Co. Kildare
This interesting relic of Irish ecclesiastical architecture dates its origin from about the year 800, when it was built by Diarmid, son of King Aedh Roin, of Ulidia. Most of the friary was destroyed in 1317 by a Scottish army led by Edward Bruce.
Cavan Franciscan Friary, St. Mary's Abbey, Co. Cavan
St Mary's Abbey was built by the O'Reilly clan in 1300s. Today's remains include a three-storey bell tower, a section of the west wall, and a graveyard, where the great and the good of Cavan have been buried for centuries. They include Eoghan Roe O Neill, a leader of the 1640 rebellion and Myles "the slasher" O'Reilly, hero of the 1644 Battle of the Bridge of Finea.
Clane Franciscan Abbey, Co. Kildare
connection of Clane Abbey with Christianity, predates St. Patrick. In 1260 Gerald FitzMaurice (also known as Lord Offaly) built a new abbey, which housed members of the Franciscan order. It is the ruins of this later abbey which we can see today.