Religious house - Franciscan friars

The National Monuments Service's description

A Franciscan priory was established by 1260, on a church site dedicated to SS John and Bridget that might have been an earlier foundation of the Knights Hospitallers, who granted it to them. The Franciscan church was suppressed in 1541 when it is not described in any detail (White 1943, 371-2), but an inquisition in 1543 describes it as consisting of the remains of a house, chapterhouse, belfry, dormitory, hall and kitchen with other buildings (Hore 1900-11, vol. 5. 154; Gwynn and Hadcock 1980, 261). It was located outside the town walls at Mary St. and was largely destroyed in the 1640s to repair the town walls. The site was reoccupied by Franciscans from the late 17th century, whose present church is said to be partly built on walls of older church (Cullen 1895, 375). In particular there is an external base-batter on the E wall of the present church that might indicate re-use of an older wall. This church is often confused with the site of St John's church (WX037 032015 ). (Hore 1900-11, vol. 5, 82 3)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 19 December, 2012

References

White, N.B. 1943 Extents of Irish monastic possessions, 1540-1541. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Cullen, J.B. 1895 The ancient chruches of the town of Wexford, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 25, 369-77.