Lorrha Augustinian Priory

Lorrha’s connection to Christianity dates back to the 6^th century and the time of St. Ruadhán, where a nearby church is dedicated to him. The link was further strengthened in the 12^th century with the foundation of a house for the Augustinians Canons Regular. The priory endured a turbulent 13^th century, as it was burned down twice. Despite being dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII it would appear the Augustinians maintained a link with the village and a prior of Lorrha is referred to in the very late 16^th century. During the time of the Catholic Confederation in the mid-17^th century it seems that Augustinian friars took the place of the Augustinian canons.

The upstanding remains of the Priory that we see today date to the 15^th century and consist of the main body of the church, 30 metres in length, and a two storey annex running to the south from the east end of the church, the lower floor of which is a barrel-vaulted chamber. This annex may originally have been the sacristy of the Priory. Another section of the priory, again to the south of the main church, has been converted into a handball alley by the rendering of the walls with modern cement.

The main doorway to the interior of the Priory church is located in the west gable and is the most decorative feature to be seen today in the ruins. Of particular interest is the carving of a woman’s head located at the apex of the arch. She is wearing a horned headdress and traces of the original blue paint on her robe are visible. There are two smaller figures, one either side of where the arch begins to curve inwards, that have their hands clasped in prayer. At the east end of the church three medieval tombstones lie on the ground.

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