Armagh

13th Century Franciscan Friary

The Franciscan Friary was established in Armagh by a Dominican friar, Archbishop Patrick O'Scannail in 1263/64. The Franciscans arrived in Ireland c.1231 and this was the third Franciscan Friary to be established in the North of Ireland after Downpatrick and Carrickfergus. The Friary was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1536 to 1541. Later the buildings were used as a Barracks before being quarried for stone in 1765.

All that survives on the site today are the remains of the largest known friary church in Ireland. The almost 50 metre long church had a crossing tower inserted between the nave and chancel sometime during the 15th century. The church followed the usual friary plan with the cloister and the sacristy on the northside and the entrance to the church, pictured below left, in the west wall. The two pointed archways, seen in the image below, led into the now missing south aisle. The monument has been in state care since 1933.