Rathfran Friary

The Priory of the Holy Cross, also called Rathfran Friary or Rathfran Priory, is a former Dominican Friary and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1][2]

Priory of the Holy Cross

Mainistir Ráth Bhrannaibh
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names	Rathfran Friary/Priory; Rathbran; Raithbrain; Rahrany
Order	Dominican Order
Established	1274
Disestablished	1577
Diocese	Killala
People
Founder(s)	Stephen de Exeter?
Architecture
Status	ruined
Style	Norman
Site
Location	Rathfran, Templemurry, County Mayo
Coordinates	54.238016°N 9.244378°W
Visible remains	Church
Public access	Yes
National Monument of Ireland
Official name	Rathfran Friary
Reference no.	269

Location

Rathfran Friary is located on the north bank of the tidal Cloonaghmore River where it flows into Killala Bay, 3.5 km (2.2 mi) NNW of Killala town.[3][4]

History

The friary at Rathfran was founded in 1274, purportedly by a de Exeter, possibly Stephen de Exeter or Richard de Exeter or William de Burgo. In the 15th Century some of the lancet windows in the south wall were built up, and at the same time a separate aisle was added and the nave partially rebuilt.

In the Yellow Book of Lecan (c. 1391–1401), Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fir Bhisigh refers to the priory as Raith Branduibh as Bind Cluig, "Brandubh’s Fort of the Sweet Bells."[5]

In 1438 indulgences were granted to those who could donate money to allow the building of a refectory and bell-tower.[6] In 1458 it was reported that the friary was impoverished and reduced by wars and other disasters.[7] Donatus Ó Conchobhair, Bishop of Killala 1461–67, was formerly a friar at Rathfran.

In February 1513, Edmond Burke, then ruler of Conmhaícne Cuile, was murdered at Rathfran, violating the sanctuary, by Theobald Reagh and Edmund Ciocarach, sons of Edmond's brother Walter Burke.[8]

It was dissolved in 1577 and granted to Thomas de Exeter, and burned by Richard Bingham's army in 1590; the land was granted to William Taaffe in 1596. Friars lived in the area into the 18th century.[9][10]

Building

The 13th Century church is a long rectangle with a small crucifixion panel over the west door and the remains of a fine triple lancet east window. To the north of the church, there were originally two cloisters, but only the foundations remain to show where they stood. The living quarters to be seen north of the church date from the 16th century and incorporate part of the original sacristy.[11]

Gallery

• 
  Nave
• 
  Lancet window in south wall
• 
  Sedilia
• 
  South wall
• 
  Tomb niches
• 
  Sacristy and living quarters
• 
  Nave and choir
• 
  Piscina
• 
  Cloister foundations
• 
  East window, south aisle
• 
  Window in south wall
• 
  South Wall, exterior

References

1. Salter, Mike (1 January 2009). "Abbeys and Friaries of Ireland". Folly Publications – via Google Books.
2. O'Hara, Bernard (1 January 1982). "Mayo: Aspects of Its Heritage". Archaeological, Historical, and Folklore Society, Regional Technical College – via Google Books.
3. "Great Britain and Ireland, a Phaidon Cultural Guide". Prentice-Hall. 1 January 1985 – via Google Books.
4. Leask, Harold Graham (1 January 1960). "Irish Churches and Monastic Buildings: Gothic architecture to A. D. 1400". Dundalgan Press – via Google Books.
5. "Rathfran Abbey".
6. "Rathfran Friary".
7. "Rathfran Dominican Friary".
8. "RATHFRAN ABBEY".
9. "Saints and Stones: Rathfran Priory".
10. "Foundations of cloisters and buildings at Rathfran Priory - Picture of Rathfran Abbey, Killala - TripAdvisor".
11. "Rathfran Priory".