Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A History of the Franciscan Order in Ireland (Author: Donagh Mooney)
Subsection 1
Limerick
The Convent of Limerick occupies a delightful position, on an island in the Shannon — a river, upon the beauties and excellencies of which I would wish to dilate, were it not beside the purpose. It stands on the bank of the river, close to the city walls, towards the east, having the Monastery of Holy Cross to the south, and that of St. Dominic to the north. The orchards and other possessions join those of the Dominicans and extend from the gate nearest their convent to the gate nearest to that of Holy Cross. The space thus enclosed would be quite sufficient for a new convent, for the roof of the old one has fallen in. The walls, which still stand, show it to have been of good size and well proportioned, but the building materials were of an inferior description, and the edifice is now threatened with ruin. It is said that the first founder was the Baron of Castleconnell, or some one of his family, which
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of them I have been unable to discover, nor do I know the date of foundation. It was certainly the burial place of that noble family, though none of them have been interred within its walls for many years, for the place has been not only profaned, but has become the receptacle of the filth and refuse of the neighbourhood. A Protestant named Sexton, who had been secretary to the late Lord Deputy Chichester, now holds possession of our property, and has erected a tannery in the very monastery. No trace of the records, or precious movables remains. At present a few friars live in the city in a rented house, and give all the assistance possible to the people in their spiritual necessities. I preached there last year, and made three visitations of the place as Vicar and Provincial.