Burrishoole Friary Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Burrishoole Friary
Monastery information
Mainistir Bhuiríos Umhaill

Location in Ireland
Order	Dominican Order
Established	1470
Disestablished	1606
Diocese	Killala
People
Founder(s)	Richard de Burgo of Turlough, Lord MacWilliam Oughter
Architecture
Status	Inactive
Style	Gothic
Site
Location	County Mayo, Ireland
Coordinates	53°53′55″N 9°34′19″W / 53.89861°N 9.57194°W / 53.89861; -9.57194
Visible remains	Church
Public access	Yes

National Monument of Ireland
Official name	Burrishoole Abbey
Reference no.	235

Burrishoole Friary (in Irish: Mainistir Bhuiríos Umhaill) is a very old building in County Mayo, Ireland. It was once a home for a group of religious people called Dominican friars. Today, it is a beautiful ruin and a special place known as a National Monument.

Discovering Burrishoole Friary
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Discovering Burrishoole Friary

Burrishoole Friary is often called Burrishoole Abbey. But this is not quite right. A friary is a place where friars live. An abbey is where abbots live. The Dominicans had friars, not abbots. So, it is correctly called a friary.

What is a Friary?

A friary is a type of monastery. It is a place where friars live and work. Friars are religious men who dedicate their lives to God. They often travel and teach. The Dominicans are a specific group of friars. They are known for their preaching and teaching.

The Story of Its Founding

Burrishoole Friary was started in 1470. A man named Richard de Burgo founded it. He was a powerful lord in the area. He built the friary without asking Pope Paul II for permission first.

Later, in 1486, a different Pope, Pope Innocent VIII, stepped in. He told Uilliam Seóighe, who was an important church leader, to forgive the friars. This meant the friary could continue.

Richard de Burgo, the founder, actually joined the friary himself. He gave up his leadership role in 1469. He lived as a friar until he passed away in 1473. This shows how important these places were to the people who built them.

Life After the Friary Was Built

The friary was an active religious center for many years. It was a place for prayer and learning. It also served the local community.

Today, only parts of the friary remain. You can still see the church building. The eastern wall of the cloister is also still standing. A cloister is an open area, usually a garden, surrounded by covered walkways. The land around the friary is still used today as a cemetery.

Why Is It a Ruin Today?

Many friaries and abbeys in Ireland became ruins in the 1500s. This happened because of a big change called the Reformation. During this time, the way people practiced Christianity changed. Many religious buildings were closed down.

Very few of these places were ever rebuilt. So, today, we mostly see their beautiful ruins. Burrishoole Friary is a sad but lovely example of Gothic buildings from that time. They show us what life was like in Ireland long ago.

Visiting Burrishoole Friary

Burrishoole Friary is located a few kilometers west of Newport, County Mayo. It is a peaceful place to visit. You can explore the old church and imagine what it was like centuries ago. It is a great spot to learn about Irish history.