Claregalway Friary
Encyclopedia
The Claregalway Friary is a medieval Franciscan abbey
located in the town of Claregalway
, County Galway
, Ireland
.
The abbey site features an east-facing, cruciform church (minus a south transept
) with a 24 meter (80 ft) bell tower. The ruins of the living quarters and cloister
are situated to the south of the church building.
The monastery was commissioned in about 1252 by John de Cogan, a Norman
knight who took possession of the area following the Norman conquest of Connacht
.
The Franciscan community at the abbey lived under the patronage of the de Cogan clan until 1327, when John Magnus de Cogan gave them the building and surrounding lands. In return for this favor, the monks were asked to present a rose to de Cogan and his descendants on the annual feast day of St. John the Baptist
(June 24).
The community flourished until the mid-16th century, when the English Reformation
disrupted the Catholic establishment in Ireland. From that time on, the monks of Claregalway struggled to keep the abbey viable against political and economic forces.
On July 11, 1538, forces under the command of Lord Leonard Gray
ransacked and looted the abbey while on march to Galway
. In 1570, Queen Elizabeth I
granted possession of the monastery to Sir Richard de Burgo. In 1589, the monastery buildings were turned into a barracks under the administration of the English provincial governor, Sir Richard Bingham.
During the reign of King James
, the property was given to the Earl of Clanrickarde. By 1641, the Franciscans had reoccupied the abbey, but the building was in poor repair and the community lacked the ability to renovate it.
In 1731, Edward Synge, Anglican archbishop of Tuam
recorded that “there is a friary in Claregalway, where three at least are always resident.” The High Sheriff of the county, Stratford Eyre, reported in 1732 that the monks "lived close" to the abbey.
Church records indicate that the community numbered about 220 religious in 1766, but this number had declined to about 150 by 1782. French diplomat Coquebert de Montbret wrote in 1791 that “the monks are settling down among the ruins.”
The size of the community continued to dwindle. By 1838, it was down to only two members. Archives of the Galway Vindicator
, a local newspaper, indicate that the community's last two monks departed for a larger community in Galway in November 1847. For some years after the monastery closed, members of the Galway friary continued to travel to the site on feast days to celebrate Mass and hear confession, but these activities had ceased by 1860.
In 1892, a Lord Clanmorris donated the property to the Commissioner of Public Works under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments Act of 1882
.
Today, the abbey buildings and grounds are open to the public free of charge. The burial grounds surrounding the building are maintained and still in use.
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
located in the town of Claregalway
Claregalway
Claregalway is a village situated about 10 km from the city of Galway in County Galway, Ireland. Claregalway was founded on the banks of the River Clare, hence the derivation of its name: Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe meaning "town on the Clare, in Galway"...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The abbey site features an east-facing, cruciform church (minus a south transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
) with a 24 meter (80 ft) bell tower. The ruins of the living quarters and cloister
Cloister
A cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries, with open arcades on the inner side, running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle or garth...
are situated to the south of the church building.
History
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
knight who took possession of the area following the Norman conquest of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
.
The Franciscan community at the abbey lived under the patronage of the de Cogan clan until 1327, when John Magnus de Cogan gave them the building and surrounding lands. In return for this favor, the monks were asked to present a rose to de Cogan and his descendants on the annual feast day of St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
(June 24).
The community flourished until the mid-16th century, when the English Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
disrupted the Catholic establishment in Ireland. From that time on, the monks of Claregalway struggled to keep the abbey viable against political and economic forces.
Leonard Grey, 1st Viscount Grane
Leonard Grey, 1st Viscount Grane , known as Lord Leonard Grey prior to 1536, served as Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1536 to 1540....
ransacked and looted the abbey while on march to Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. In 1570, Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
granted possession of the monastery to Sir Richard de Burgo. In 1589, the monastery buildings were turned into a barracks under the administration of the English provincial governor, Sir Richard Bingham.
During the reign of King James
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, the property was given to the Earl of Clanrickarde. By 1641, the Franciscans had reoccupied the abbey, but the building was in poor repair and the community lacked the ability to renovate it.
In 1731, Edward Synge, Anglican archbishop of Tuam
Archdiocese of Tuam (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishopric of Tuam existed from the mid twelfth century until 1839, with its seat at Tuam.St Jarlath is considered to have founded Tuam as the seat of a bishop in about 501, and he stands first in the list of bishops of Tuam...
recorded that “there is a friary in Claregalway, where three at least are always resident.” The High Sheriff of the county, Stratford Eyre, reported in 1732 that the monks "lived close" to the abbey.
Church records indicate that the community numbered about 220 religious in 1766, but this number had declined to about 150 by 1782. French diplomat Coquebert de Montbret wrote in 1791 that “the monks are settling down among the ruins.”
The size of the community continued to dwindle. By 1838, it was down to only two members. Archives of the Galway Vindicator
Galway Vindicator
The Galway Vindicator was a newspaper which operated in Galway, Ireland from 10 July 1841 to 4 November 1899. It was one of several newspapers founded to help advance the agenda of Daniel O'Connell and was noted for its daily coverage of the effects of the Great Famine.-References: at Gale Group...
, a local newspaper, indicate that the community's last two monks departed for a larger community in Galway in November 1847. For some years after the monastery closed, members of the Galway friary continued to travel to the site on feast days to celebrate Mass and hear confession, but these activities had ceased by 1860.
In 1892, a Lord Clanmorris donated the property to the Commissioner of Public Works under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments Act of 1882
Ancient Monuments Act of 1882
The Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . It was introduced by Sir John Lubbock, 1st Baronet, recognising the need for a governmental administration on the protection of ancient monuments, was finally passed after a...
.
Today, the abbey buildings and grounds are open to the public free of charge. The burial grounds surrounding the building are maintained and still in use.
Burials
- Muiris Ó Fithcheallaigh, IrishIrish peopleThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
FranciscanFranciscanMost Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
theologian and Archbishop of TuamArchbishop of TuamThe Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
, c. 1460-1513. - Tomás Ó MaolalaidhTomás Ó MaolalaidhTomás Ó Maolalaidh was an Irish churchman who became Bishop of Clonmacnoise and Archbishop of Tuam ....
, Bishop of Clonmacnoise (c.1509-1514) and Archbishop of Tuam (1514–1536).
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Galway)