Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A History of the Franciscan Order in Ireland (Author: Donagh Mooney)

Subsection 2

Adare

The Convent of Adare29 was one of the most celebrated in Munster. It is in the diocese of Limerick, about twelve miles west of that city, and stands on the bank of the Maige, about three miles from its junction with the Shannon.

I have found the following particulars relating to this convent in the book, which, according to the constitutions of the Order, as well as of the Province, should be read, in presence of the community, on each Friday of the year, that the memory of our departed benefactors might not be forgotten. This book is at present in possession of an old man named James Hickey, who had been Syndic of the convent: — ‘The Church of the Friars Minor at Adare was dedicated in honour of St. Michael the Archangel, on the 19th November, 1464, the Feast of St. Pontianus, Martyr, and St. Elizabeth, Widow, Thomas Earl of Kildare, and his wife Johanna, daughter of James, Earl of Desmond, built the church and a fourth part of the cloister at their own expense. They also furnished the windows of the church with glass, and presented the bell and two silver chalices. The convent was

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accepted, on behalf of the Order, at the Provincial Chapter, held at Moyne, on the Feast of the Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, in the same year, and the brethren of the Family of the Observance entered into possession on the Feast of All Saints following. The church was consecrated in honour of St. Michael the Archangel, on his feast, in the year 1466. The following places, outside the church, were also consecrated that they might be used for the burial of the dead. The whole circuit of the cloister, inside and outside, both sacristies, and the entire cemetery, except a portion at the south, which was set aside for those who might die without the right to Christian burial.’

‘The other parts of the edifice were built by the following: — The bell-tower, by Conor O'Sullivan, a pious and devout stranger who had settled amongst us (so the ancient book described him.) He also presented us with an excellent chalice, gilt with gold. Margaret Fitzgibbon, wife of Cunlaid O'Daly erected the great chapel. One of the small chapels was built by John, son of the Earl of Desmond; the other by Leogh de Tulcostyn, and Margaret, wife of Thomas Fitzmaurice. Donough O'Brien, son of Bryan Duv, of Ara and his wife built the dormitory. We owe another fourth part of the cloister to a Tertiary, Rory O'Dea, who also gave us a useful silver chalice. Another Tertiary, Marianus O'Hickey, erected the refectory, and the wooden choir at the north side. He entered the Order later on, and lived in this convent, having spent a most holy life. Donald, the son of O'Dea and Sabina, his wife, finished another fourth of the cloister. Edmond Thomas, Knight of the Glen, and his wife, Honora Fitzgibbon, erected the infirmary. The latter died on the 13th May, 1503. Johanna O'Loughlin, widow of Fitzgibbon, added ten feet to the sanctuary, under which she directed a burial place to be formed for herself. Conor O'Sullivan, who built the belfry, died on the16th January, 1492; Margaret Fitzgibbon, who built the Lady Chapel, on the 23rd January, 1483; Donough O'Brien, son of Bryan Duv who constructed the dormitory, on the vigil of St. Francis, 1502; Thomas Earl of Kildare, founder of the convent, on the 25th March, 1478; his wife, Johanna, on the

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Feast of St. Antony of Padua, 1486. The first to receive the habit in this convent was Theoderic Fitzmaurice, who died on the 18th June, 1484. There lived here also another lay brother named Quirke, who was held in great esteem for his sanctity. He died on the 13th December, 1532. John, Prior of Holy Cross, Limerick, who was the ‘Ordinary Protector’ of the Fathers of Adare, died on the 2nd August, 1531.’

The Most Rev. Raymond de Burgo, who was a member of the Observantine branch of the Franciscan Order, and Bishop of Emly, died on the 29th July, 1562, and was buried in Adare. It is believed that he was the last Bishop of that diocese. Some of the precious possessions of this Convent are yet in existence. There are at present in Cork, under the custody of Fr. Thomas Geraldine, a ciborium for the Blessed Sacrament, gilt with gold and of good workmanship; a silver processional cross, and six or seven chalices, some of which are also gilt with gold. The register is among the other registers of the Province. I have, also, seen a list of the sacred vestments, and was much surprised at the large number, but all these have perished under the decaying hand of time. The friars were driven from Adare during the war between the Earl of Desmond and Queen Elizabeth. The convent, which up to that time had been kept in excellent repair, was allowed to go to ruin. At present the roof has fallen in, but the walls stand, and the glass even is uninjured in some of the church windows.

Such is the meagre account I am able to give of Adare, but so great was the celebrity of this convent for the strict life and religious observance of its inmates, as well as for the beauty of its buildings and the piety of the people who dwelt in the neighbourhood, that I am convinced I could have collected many more circumstances worthy of record if I had had leisure to continue my investigations.