Rosserk Friary, Killala, Ireland

Rosserk Friary is a friary located in County Mayo, Ireland. It is one of the largest and best preserved of the Franciscan Friaries in Ireland. It was founded by the Joye family c. 1441 for the Friars of the Franciscan Third Order Regular.

Rosserk Friary and Moyne Abbey are located close to each other, 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.

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.

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.

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User Reviews

Joleen Foster (3 months ago)
If you're in the area, it's a must do. Absolutely beautiful.

Dariusz Mokrzynski (5 months ago)
Rosserk Friary is one of the best-preserved Franciskan Friary in Ireland.

Jason Matheson (9 months ago)
Spectacular Friary ruins with plenty of rooms and spaces to explore. Multiple stone staircases lead you to a top floor with fireplaces still evident. Keep your eyes sharp for carvings throughout.

Wolf Galaxy_21 (9 months ago)
Cool place, definitely worth to check out, easy place to park your motorbike too

Angie Abraham (14 months ago)
Amazing building. I spent over an hour here just looking and admiring it all. If the walls could only tell the stories they must hold

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