claregalway franciscan friary

This Franciscan Friary is said to have been founded by John de Cogan around 1250 and was richly endowed by the De Feoris or de Bermingham family. The ruins consist of a nave-and-chancel church and portions of the cloister. The chancel has six side-windows and has a triple sedilia of about 1300.

The north aisle was added to the nave at a later stage. In the 15th century the lancet windows in the east wall were replaced by the present well-preserved splayed window, the tower was added, and it was probably also at this period that the north transept was built.

After the Suppression, it was granted to Richard de Burgh, but the Franciscans lingered on until 1765. A primitive plough is represented on one of the tombstones in the church.