Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A History of the Franciscan Order in Ireland (Author: Donagh Mooney)
Subsection 12
Youghal
The Convent of Youghal, in the sea-port town of that name, in the County of Cork and the Diocese of Cloyne, was founded by Lord Fitzgerald, from whom are descended the illustrious Earls of Desmond and the other Geraldines of Munster.
It is said to be one of the oldest, if not in fact, the most ancient in the Province. I cannot find, however, the date of its foundation.47 It was among the most flourishing of our convents, and our brethren dwelt there in security, under the protection of the Geraldines till about 1583. But when, as happened, at that time, their power was broken, and the success of the heretics assured, the sacred pile was profaned
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reduced to ruins, while the friars were expelled, or crowned with martyrdoms. In the year 159648 (if my information regarding the date be correct) Fr. Daniel O'Doilean49 was put to the torture, which he bore with wonderful fortitude. Captain Dundall with his troop by orders of the Viceroy, Lord Arthur Grey, subjected him to the cruellest torments. They dragged him to Trinity Gate, as it is called, and there having tied his arms behind his back, and fastened heavy stones to his feet, drew him up three times to the top of the tower, where they left him hanging in the air on each occasion. At length after many insults and tortures he was suspended by the feet with his head downwards, at the mill near the convent. He was left in this position for a long time. In all his sufferings he never uttered an impatient word but like a good Christian, recited prayers without ceasing, sometimes aloud, at other times in a low voice. Finally the soldiers were ordered to shoot him, and he was placed as a target, at which they might practice. That his agony might be the longer and more cruel it was agreed that they were to aim at the less vital parts of the body, and carefully avoid striking the head or heart. Having been wounded in many places, one of the company, moved by a grim compassion, loaded his gun with two balls, and shot him through the heart. Thus he passed away, crowned by a glorious martyrdom, on the 22nd of April in the year aforesaid.50 Here also, near the right hand side of the High Altar, rest, according to tradition, the remains of a holy friar who worked many miracles.
The whole convent, except the walls of the church and some of the out-offices, is now in ruins. After the suppression of the monasteries certain Englishmen took up their abode there, one after another, profaned the house of God, by forcibly seizing upon it, and converting it to secular purposes. But some of them escaped the visitation of Divine Providence. Some were disturbed by visitations, others were even beaten with whips and bludgeons, while not a few were overtaken by a premature
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death. And poverty, famine, and evils of various sorts fell upon those who had been wealthy, and who had dared to make the sacred spot their dwelling-place. All were compelled to fly from the place, and taught by their sufferings confessed that the hands of God and St. Francis were all that had happened to them.
Some silver chalices which belonged to this convent are still in existence and I have seen them in possession of the old Syndic of this place. This is detailed more fully in the Registry of the Province. There are also some books, especially a large Graduale, complete for the year which is very beautiful. All the others have perished, I have been told by an old father who was professed here, and who survives to the present day, that many of the moveables belonging to this convent were transferred to the castle of Dromana for safety, and that chalices, various ornaments, reliquaries, and the great cross of cold which was purchased for the friars by Lord James ... are preserved there. The old father said that it would be well to make an effort to recover them, but I fear it would be in vain.