Rosserk Friary

Rosserk Friary
Mainistir Ros Eirc
Monastery information
OrderFranciscans
Establishedc.1440
Architecture
StatusInactive
Site
Public accessYes
Official nameRosserk Abbey
Reference no.104

Rosserk Friary is a friary located in County Mayo, Ireland and a National Monument. Located along the river Moy, the friary was set up by the third order of Franciscans.[1]

History

Rosserk Friary is one of the largest and best preserved of the Franciscan Friaries in Ireland.[2] It was founded by the Joye family circa 1441 for the Friars of the Franciscan Third Order Regular.[3]

Rosserk Friary and Moyne Abbey are located close to each other,[3] north of Ballina on the west side of Killala Bay. Both were allegedly burnt by Sir Richard Bingham, Elizabeth I of England's governor of Connacht, in 1590 in Reformationist zeal.[4]

Description

The stone doorway leading to the church still shows fine workmanship and carvings. The church is built in the late Irish Gothic Style and consists of a single-aisle nave, with two chantry chapels in the south transept and a bell-tower suspended over the chancel arch. In the south-east corner of the chancel is a double piscina with a Round Tower carved on one of its pillars, two angels and the instruments of the passion.[5]

The conventual buildings are well-preserved with three vaulted rooms on each side. The dormitory, refectory and kitchen were on the upper floor, where two fireplaces still remain back-to-back.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Meehan, Cary (2004). Sacred Ireland. Somerset: Gothic Image Publications. p. 647. ISBN 0 906362 43 1.
  2. ^ McDermott 2011, p. 57.
  3. ^ a b McDermott 2011, p. 60.
  4. ^ Meehan, p. 647.
  5. ^ Meehan, p. 647.

Sources

54°10′17″N 9°08′36″W / 54.1714°N 9.1434°W / 54.1714; -9.1434