Rathfran Friary

Priory of the Holy Cross
Mainistir Ráth Bhrannaibh
	Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names	Rathfran Friary/Priory; Rathbran; Raithbrain; Rahrany
Order	Dominican Order
Established	1274
Disestablished	1577
Diocese	Killala
People
Founder(s)	Stephen de Exeter?
Architecture
Status	ruined
Style	Norman
Site
Location	Rathfran, Templemurry, County Mayo
Coordinates	54°14′17″N 9°14′40″W / 54.238016°N 9.244378°W
Visible remains	Church
Public access	Yes
National monument of Ireland
Official name	Rathfran Friary
Reference no.	269

The Priory of the Holy Cross, also called Rathfran Friary or Rathfran Priory, is a former Dominican Friary and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.^[1]^[2]

Location

Rathfran Friary is located on the north bank of the tidal Cloonaghmore River where it flows into Killala Bay, 3.5 km (2.2 mi) NNW of Killala town.^[3]^[4]

History

The friary at Rathfran was founded in 1274, purportedly by a de Exeter, possibly Stephen de Exeter or Richard de Exeter or William de Burgo. In the 15th Century some of the lancet windows in the south wall were built up, and at the same time a separate aisle was added and the nave partially rebuilt.^{[citation needed]}

In the Yellow Book of Lecan (c. 1391–1401), Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fir Bhisigh refers to the priory as Raith Branduibh as Bind Cluig, "Brandubh’s Fort of the Sweet Bells."^[5]

In 1438 indulgences were granted to those who could donate money to allow the building of a refectory and bell-tower.^[6] In 1458 it was reported that the friary was impoverished and reduced by wars and other disasters.^[7] Donatus Ó Conchobhair, Bishop of Killala 1461–67, was formerly a friar at Rathfran.^{[citation needed]}

In February 1513, Edmond Burke, then ruler of Conmhaícne Cuile, was murdered at Rathfran, violating the sanctuary, by Theobald Reagh and Edmund Ciocarach, sons of Edmond's brother Walter Burke.^[8]

It was dissolved in 1577 and granted to Thomas de Exeter, and burned by Richard Bingham's army in 1590; the land was granted to William Taaffe in 1596. Friars lived in the area into the 18th century.^[9]^[10]

Building

The 13th-century church is a long rectangle with a small crucifixion panel over the west door and the remains of a fine triple lancet east window. To the north of the church, there were originally two cloisters, but only the foundations remain to show where they stood. The living quarters to be seen north of the church date from the 16th century and incorporate part of the original sacristy.^[11]