Castledermot Franciscan Friary

This Franciscan Friary was established circa 1247 on the site of a previous monastery founded by St. Diarmuid. The friary is believed to have been founded by Walter de Riddlesford II, in the early 13^th Riddlesford was known as the Lord of Thrisledermot, which was the name the friary was once known as.

It was Walter’s father, Walter de Riddlesford I, who was granted the lands from Richard de Clare, Strongbow, after the Norman invasion.

The importance of Castledermot is demonstrated by the nearby monastic settlement, also founded by St. Diarmuid. A round tower was a necessary safety feature of all financially thriving monastic settlements, as it was where the riches of the settlement were stored in times of attack from the Irish and Vikings. Added to that, a parliament of Ireland is recorded as having taken place in Thrisledermot in 1264.

The only remains of this once thriving settlement is the church, now in ruins. The church has a 13^th century nave and chancel, with a 14^th century aisle and transept, built of coursed granite with granite quoins. Several lancet windows, some with switch line tracery, illuminated the transept and chancel.

The friary was attacked and plundered during the Bruce invasion, 1315-1318, and was subsequently rebuilt. Prior to its dissolution, whereby Henry VIII disbanded catholic monasteries, the friary consisted of a church, cloister, dormitory, tower, two halls, a kitchen, garden, orchard, dormitory and a curtilage.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014