Adare Friary facts for kids
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Black Abbey |
| Order | Order of Saint Augustine |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Established | 1316 |
| Dedicated to | St Nicholas |
| Controlled churches | St Nicholas' Church |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Monument of Ireland |
| Designated date | 2008 |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | c.1300 |
| Completion date | c.1870 |
| Site | |
| Location | Adare, County Limerick |
| Country | Ireland |
| Public access | yes |
The Adare Friary is an old monastery in Adare, County Limerick, Ireland. It was built in 1316 by the Earl of Kildare for the Augustinian friars. People also called it the "Black Abbey." Today, it is known as St. Nicholas' Church of Ireland parish church. It also houses St Nicholas' National School. This historic building is very important in Ireland.
Contents
History of Adare Friary
The Augustinian friars first came to Dublin from England around 1260. In 1316, John FitzThomas FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare, invited them to Adare. He gave them land and houses in the town.
By 1541, the friars owned a lot of land, cottages, and gardens. They also had a fishing spot on the river. In the late 1500s, the king of England closed many monasteries in Ireland. This was called the Tudor suppression. The Augustinians had to leave Adare. By 1633, they had moved to Limerick city.
Many parts of the friary are still in good condition. The small cloister from the 1400s is very well kept. The church inside was likely painted with red, yellow, and black designs long ago. There is also a beautiful wooden carving called a Pieta. It is thought to be from the 1500s. A large oak door from the choir area is very old. It came from the original St. Nicholas parish church.
The Dunraven family helped restore the friary in the 1800s.
Modern Uses of the Friary
The Adare Friary buildings are still used today for important community services.
The Church Today
The church part of the friary is now used by the Church of Ireland. It serves the people in the Adare area. It is part of a group of churches that includes Croom, Kilpeacon, and Kilmallock. The church also has special furniture made by Robert (Mouseman) Thompson. You can find his signature, a small carved mouse, on a lectern and a railing.
St Nicholas' National School
St Nicholas' National School was started by the Earl of Dunraven in 1814. It became a national school in 1862. This school is for both boys and girls. It follows the values of the Church of Ireland.
The school was first located in the friary's old refectory (dining hall). In 2007, work began on a new school building behind the monastery. This new building has three classrooms. Its roof is covered with sedum plants. The old school building had two classrooms.
The new school was finished in August 2008. Students and teachers moved in that September. On December 12, 2008, Mary Hanafin, a government minister, officially opened the building. The old building is now used for PE and drama classes.
Burials at Adare Friary
Many important people are buried at Adare Friary. These include:
- Windham Wyndham-Quin, 5th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl
- Windham Wyndham-Quin, 4th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl
- Valentine Quin, 1st Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl
- John FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare
- Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare
See Also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Limerick)
