Rosserk Friary is a friary in County Mayo, Ireland and a national monument. Located along the River Moy, the friary was set up by the third order of Franciscans.[1]
History
Rosserk Friary is one of the largest and best preserved of the Franciscan friaries in Ireland.[2] It was founded by the Joye family circa 1441 for the Friars of the Franciscan Third Order Regular.[3]
Rosserk Friary and Moyne Abbey are located close to each other,[3] north of Ballina on the west side of Killala Bay. Both were allegedly burnt by Sir Richard Bingham, Elizabeth I of England's governor of Connacht, in 1590 in Reformationist zeal.[4]
Description
The stone doorway leading to the church still shows fine workmanship and carvings. The church is built in the late Irish Gothic Style and consists of a single-aisle nave, with two chantry chapels in the south transept and a bell-tower suspended over the chancel arch. In the south-east corner of the chancel is a double piscina with a Round Tower carved on one of its pillars, two angels and the instruments of the passion.[5]
The conventual buildings are well-preserved with three vaulted rooms on each side. The dormitory, refectory and kitchen were on the upper floor, where two fireplaces still remain back-to-back.