French Church, Waterford facts for kids
French Church, Waterford
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Franciscans |
| Established | 1241 |
| Disestablished | 1541 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Site | |
| Public access | Yes |
| Official name | The French Church (Waterford) |
| Reference no. | 205 |
The French Church, also known as Greyfriars Abbey, was once a Franciscan friary. A friary is a type of monastery where friars (religious brothers) live and work. This historic building was built in 1241 in Waterford, Ireland. You can find it today on Greyfriars and Baileys New Street. Near the entrance, there is a monument to Luke Wadding. He was a famous priest from Waterford who lived in the 1600s. This friary was one of the first built in Ireland. It was started by an Anglo-Norman knight named Sir Hugh Purcell.
Contents
A Royal Visit and a Tall Tower
In 1394, King Richard II of England stayed at the church. He was planning to fight against some Irish clans in the Wicklow Mountains. The church is also famous for a big event in 1395. Four important Irish clan chiefs gave up to King Richard II there. These chiefs were from the O'Conor Don, de Burgo, O'Brien, and O'Kennedy families.
Later, in the late 1400s, a tall bell tower was added to the church. It stands 25 metres high and you can still see it today. The bells from this tower were sold in 1541 by King Henry VIII. People say these bells are now in Christchurch Cathedral nearby. The frame that held the bells stayed at the church until 1809. The friary was very close to the city walls and Reginald’s Tower. This made it an important spot for the city's safety and defense.
From Friary to Almshouse
The friary was closed down on April 2, 1541, by King Henry VIII. This happened during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed many monasteries and friaries across England and Ireland. Even though the friary was closed, the friars were allowed to stay in Waterford. In 1544, King Henry VIII gave permission to turn part of the building into a hospital or almshouse. An almshouse was a place that offered shelter and care for poor people.
The French Connection
In the 1600s, a part of the church was changed for a new group of people. Bishop Nathaniel Foy made the choir area ready for Huguenots. Huguenots were French Protestants who had to leave France because of their religion. They were invited to Waterford to work in the linen industry. Because these French people used the church, it became known as "The French Church."
Important Burials
Many important people were buried at the French Church. One of the first was Sir Hugh Purcell, who founded the church around 1250. He is buried near the main altar.
Other notable people buried here include:
- Lord Richard Poer (died 1607), who strongly supported the Catholic faith. His wife, Catherine de Barry, is also buried there.
- Sir Nicholas Walsh (died 1615), who was a chief judge in the kingdom.
- Nicholas Power (died 1635), Lord of Kilmeaden.
- John Roberts (1712/14–1796), a well-known architect.
See also
