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Roscommon Abbey

From Catholicism Wiki
Mainistir Ros Comáin
Roscommon Abbey in 2024
Roscommon Abbey in 2024
Monastery information
Other names Ros-comain; Ros-chomon; Ros-camain; Ros-coman
Order Canons Regular of Saint Augustine/Dominicans
Established 1140
Disestablished 1578
Diocese Elphin
Architecture
Status ruined
Style Norman
Site
Location Ballypheasan, Roscommon, County Roscommon
Coordinates 53°37′29″N 8°11′30″W / 53.624766°N 8.191802°W
Public access yes

Roscommon Abbey is a former Dominican Priory and National Monument located in Roscommon, Ireland.[1]

History

Roscommon Abbey was a Dominican priory founded in 1253 by Fedlim Ó Conchobair, king of Connacht. It was plundered by Mac William de Burgo 1260. It was hit by fire in 1270 and lightning in 1308.[2]

Roscommon Abbey was dissolved before 1578; granted to Sir Nicholas Malby in 1578 and to Francis Annesley, 1st Viscount Valentia in 1615.[3]

Building

Roscommon Friary is located in the southern part of Roscommon town, The church consisted of a single long aisle with nave and choir; the northern transept was added in the fifteenth century.

On his death in 1265 Fedlim Ó Conchobair was interred in the abbey and his tomb was covered by an effigial slab which can still be seen in a niche in the north-east corner of the church. The effigy was carved between 1290 and 1300 and is one of only two Irish royal effigies surviving from this period.[4]

References