Askeaton Friary, Co Limerick

Details

Accessibility

We offer free entry for those with disabilities and their accompanying carers at all of our sites where an admission charge applies.

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askeaton_Abbey

2025: "Askeaton Abbey or Askeaton Friary is a ruined medieval Franciscan friary located north of Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland, on the east bank of the River Deel.[1][2][3][4]

The church and its north transept, sacristy, cloister arcade and domestic buildings survive. Notable features include the cloister with its carvings of Francis of Assisi with stigmata, a Mass dial, sedilia, several Fitzgerald dynasty tombs, and a carving of Christ as the Man of Sorrows.[5][10][11][12][13]

A sketch of the friary in the Pacata Hibernia, dated from some point prior to 1599, shows a large belfry associated with the structure, now entirely destroyed.[14]

The church is rendered in simple Gothic style and is lighted by a large window in the eastern wall. The gable and south wall are battlemented. A plain altar survives. Despite tradition attesting that the Stephenson family had removed the original altar to make a burial place beneath it, this is unlikely to be true.[15]"

+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askeaton

2025: "Askeaton (Irish: Eas Géitine, Waterfall of Géitine,[2] also historically spelt Askettin) is a town in County Limerick, Ireland. The town is built on the banks of the River Deel which flows into the Shannon Estuary 3 km to the north. Askeaton is on the N69 road between Limerick and Tralee; it is 25 km west of Limerick and 8 km north of Rathkeale. The town is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.[2]

Among the historic structures in the town are a castle dating from 1199 and a Franciscan friary dating from 1389. The castle was abandoned to the English in 1580 – its walls blown up by the fleeing defenders – after the fall of Carrigafoyle Castle during the Desmond Rebellions. Askeaton was a constituency in the Irish House of Commons represented by two members until the dissolution of the parliament in 1801. 

The focal point of the town is Desmond Castle, which stands in the centre of the town on a rocky island on the river Deel. A castle has been located at Askeaton since 1199, when it was given to Hamo de Valoignes, the Justiciary of Ireland between 1197 and 1199. In the Annals of Inisfallen, William de Burgo is recorded as having been granted the castle and estates by Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond.

The present Catholic church was built in 1851, after the previous building near the Franciscan friary was totally destroyed by fire in 1847. It is built of local limestone and has stained glass windows. The window to the right of the transept shows the resurrection of Christ, and that on the left his ascension into heaven. In the centre of the nave are windows showing St Patrick receiving the two daughters of King Laoire, the King of Ireland, into the church, and Jesus with children, and over the main door of the church a window shows the Virgin Mary. Over the door is a statue of the Pieta.[6]

The Church of Ireland also has a church in the town, St Mary's, with a clergyman resident in Rathkeale.[7]

Askeaton GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village.

Askeaton Contemporary Arts is an artists' residency programme that has taken place in Askeaton each summer since 2006.[11]"

Address

Askeaton Franciscan Friary

Moig South

Askeaton

Co. Limerick

Email

Phone

Website

https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/askeaton-franciscan-friary/

https://web.archive.org/web/20040826150134/http://www.franciscans.ie/161.0.html

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

2025: "Askeaton Friary is a National Monument in state guardianship

*Askeaton Friary is available to visit all year round with tours available upon request:

Summer: 09:00 – 18:00

Winter: 09:30 – 17:00*

WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur"

Transport

Amenities

In Askeaton town, with Twohig's SuperValu Askeaton, Church Street, Askeaton, Co. Limerick V94 Y02D,

Nearby is Askeaton Castle, Office of Public Works, Askeaton, Co Limerick with External Viewing Only.