Moyne Franciscan Friary

Founded circa 1455 under the patronage of the MacWilliam Burkes, Moyne Friary was established after Pope Nicholas V granted permission for the set-up of Observant Houses in the Killala diocese in 1450.

The founding family were lords of North Connaught, and were in rivalry with the Clanricarde Burkes in South Connaught, who were the benefactors of Ross Errilly Friary in Co. Galway. Since the familial civil war in the 1330s, the Burke lordship was split between these two groups.

The Friary changed hands numerous times throughout its history, despite the fact that the friars were allowed to remain in Moyne after the Dissolution of Monasteries, thanks to the protection offered by the MacWilliam Burkes. However, it was the victim of a number of attacks carried out by the English: in 1579 and in 1582. In 1590, the friary was burned by Sir Richard Bingham, then Governor of Connaught. Five years after Bingham’s attack, the friary was granted to Edward Barrett. In 1616, it was under the care of an English widow, who did allow the six remaining friars to stay.

It is considered one of the best preserved mendicant friaries in Ireland, and contains a number of buildings around it, including an 18^th century house, and a 15^th or 16^th century hospital, thought to have been used to treat the resident friars. An orchard and four acres of pasture was part of the friary complex.

The Friary consists of a church, a tower that was added later, cloisters that were also added later circa late 15^th century, and a domestic range. It was normal for mendicant buildings in Ireland to be built in stages, as the friars relied on donations from the local community.

The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Killala in 1462, and it is believed the last friar died circa 1800.

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