Saints and Stones: Moyne Friary
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Moyne Friary, situated at the mouth of the River Moy overlooking Bartra Island, was founded by permission of Pope Nicholas for the Observantine Franciscans in 1460. The founder may have been MacWilliam Burke or one of the Barrett family.

The church consists of a rectangular nave and chancel with an eastward extension of the nave that is wider than it. The west doorway was added in the 17th Century. There is also a chapel running southwards from the east end of the church. The tower was added later, though apparently planned originally as part of the church. The stairs, leading to the top, are still intact. The well-preserved cloisters were added towards the end of the 15th Century. The various buildings surrounding it include a sacristy next to the church with a chapter house beside it, and on the side opposite the church there is a kitchen and a refectory under which a stream flows.

The friars remained on long after the Dissolution. Sir Richard Bingham burned the friary in 1590. In 1617, it was in the hands of an unnamed window who, however, still allowed the friars to remain. At that time there were only six friars left. The last Friar probably died around 1800.

About Moyne Friary

Ecclesiastical Ireland: Moyne Friary, Co. Mayo
Irish Antiquities: Moyne Franciscan Friary
Wikipedia: Moyne Abbey

Journey to Moyne Friary

Moyne Friary is situated south of Killala on a minor road off the R314 at the mouth of the River Moy overlooking Bartragh Island in County Mayo, Ireland.

Map Reference: G233287

Visitors Information

Visitors information may be found at the geograph.ie website. General tourist information may be found at the Discover Mayo website.

Additional Photos of Moyne Friary

Road Sign for Moyne Friary
Descriptive Sign for Moyne Friary
Approaching Moyne Friary
Ruins of Moyne Friary
Central Tower, Moyne FRiary
Interior, Moyne Friary
Arches, Moyne Friary
Cloisters, Moyne Friary
Cloisters, Moyne Friary
Cloisters, Moyne Friary
Outer Monastic Wall, Moyne Friary
Overlooking Killala Bay from Moyne Friary

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