Roscommon Dominican Friary

The Dominican friary of Roscommon abbey was founded by king of Connaught, Felimid Ó Conchobair, in 1252. As is typical of a financially thriving abbey it was raided and burned in 1260 and 1270. It is also the resting place of Felimid Ó Conchobair, who died 1265 and whose stone carved effigy is one of two surviving royal Irish effigies of this period. By the mid-15^th century the abbey had fallen into disrepair and was granted an indulgence for repair. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Sir Nicholas Malby, Governor of Connaught, was granted the abbey. By 1612 the abbey was in ruin, and in 1615 the abbey was in the possession of 1^st Viscount Valentia, Francis Annesley.

Roscommon abbey is a nave and chancel church, with an east-west orientation. Entry is via the west gable. Three circular piers represent the north aisle separated from the nave. Only the base of the tower, added in the 15^th century, survives at the north aisle. The dressed stone for the windows and doors has been removed over time. Originally the east and west chancel windows were that of three lancets each. The nave had a six lancet window. At the nave, there are six recesses, one with painted decoration. One of the recesses holds the effigy to Felimid Ó Conchobair, with eight warriors from its chest now in the north wall of the chancel. Beside Ó Conchobair’s effigy is a limestone grave-slab of John Verdon, dated 1656. Set into the copping of Ó Conchobair’s effigy is a carved stone of two deer with antlers. A square piece of a grave-slab incised with the stem of a cross and an image of a cat with a small animal in its mouth is also found in the copping. Fragments from another tomb, and that of the 17^th century memorial of John Hynde, is no longer present. Grave-slabs found outside the chancel have moulding on the edge and incised with a double line of the stem of a cross. Aside from the graves in the interior of the abbey, no surface identification on external burial is now visible.

Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Roscommon Abbey

Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites

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