Clane Friary

Clane Friary, also called Clane Abbey, is a former friary of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual located in Clane, Ireland.[1][2]

Clane Friary
Mainistir Chlaonadh
Remains of the abbey church
Clane Friary is located in Ireland
Clane Friary
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesCloenath; Claenath; Claenad; Claona; Cleonad; Cloney; Cluain
OrderOrder of Friars Minor Conventual
Establishedc. 520; 1258
Disestablishedc. 1560
DioceseKildare
People
Founder(s)Ailbe of Emly
Architecture
Statusruined
StyleNorman
Site
LocationAbbeyland, Clane, County Kildare
Coordinates53.289256°N 6.683023°W / 53.289256; -6.683023
Public accessyes

Location

Clane Friary is located immediately southeast of Clane village, to the north of King Mesgegra's Mound and the River Liffey.[3]

History
View of the east wall of the church

Clane (believed to derive from Claon-áth, "crooked ford") is an early Gaelic monastery. It was traditionally founded by Saint Ailbe of Emly c. AD 520 (or later in AD 548),[4] and had Secundinus (Sechnall, Seachnall) as its second abbot.[5] It took part in the missionary work of the 6th and 7th centuries. Clane was sacked and plundered by Vikings in 1035.

It continued until after the 1111 Synod of Rathbreasail. It hosted the Synod of Clane in 1162, convened by Gelasius of Armagh (Gilla Meic Liac mac Diarmata) and attended by Lorcán Ua Tuathail[6] and 25 other bishops.[7][8][9][10] It established that no-one could become a lector unless he had been educated at Armagh.[11]

In 1258/60 Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, son of Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly, established a house of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual at Clane. He was buried at the monastery in 1259; a fragment of his effigy remains.

It hosted a chapter of the Franciscans in 1345. Clane fell into disrepair around the time of the Black Death (1348–50). Some new parts were added towards the end of the 14th century.[12]

The Hogans and Wesleys were often associated with the abbey as priors and monks.

It was dissolved in 1540. It seems to have been quite small: 70 acres (28 ha) of land, a church, cemetery, dormitory (probably to the north of the church), store, kitchen, two chambers, stable and orchard. It was granted to Robert Eustace, Roger Roche, and Edward Browne in 1541–42 for the use of Sir Thomas Luttrell. Some of the buildings were destroyed and the stone used to repair Maynooth Castle.[13][14]

Some friars remained until the buildings were destroyed c. 1606. A few friars remained clandestinely and Clane Friary was restored again in 1647 before final abandonment in 1650. Bonaventure Mellaghlin was transferred to Clane as guardian[15] Franciscans still return each year to celebrate Mass on the feast of the Portiuncula.[16][2]

Building

A nave and chancel church, 43 m (141 ft) east-west and 8 m (26 ft) north-south, with a south aisle added in the 15th century. There is some moulding and sedilia, as well as an effigy of founder Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald.[13]

Pointed arch

References
  1. Bonser, Wilfrid (3 December 2018). "An Anglo-Saxon and Celtic Bibliography (450-1087)". University of California Press – via Google Books.
  2. Society, County Kildare Archaeological (1902). Journal of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Surrounding Districts – via Internet Archive. Clane Abbey.
  3. "Leigh's New Pocket Road-book of Ireland: Containing an Account of All the Direct and Cross Roads, Together with a Description of Every Remarkable Place ..." Leigh. 3 December 2018 – via Google Books.
  4. Dublin.), James Fraser (of (3 December 2018). "Guide through Ireland" – via Google Books.
  5. "Clane Abbey, Co. Kildare, Ireland". www.kildare.ie.
  6. Armagh.), Joseph DIXON (R C. Archbishop of; Armagh.), Conor MACCONCOILLE (Archbishop of (3 December 2018). "The Blessed Cornelius; Or, Some Tidings of an Archbishop of Armagh who Went to Rome in the 12th Century, and Did Not Return [here Identified with Saint Concord]. Prefaced by a Brief Narrative of a Visit to Rome, Etc., in 1854" – via Google Books.
  7. "The Great Day on the Bog – La na Móna - Living History".
  8. "Short Historical Note On Clane - Clane Festival". www.clanefestival.ie.
  9. Todd, William Gouan (3 December 2018). "A History of the Ancient Church in Ireland". J. Burns – via Google Books.
  10. Bengal.), Patrick Joseph Carew (bp of (3 December 2018). "An ecclesiastical history of Ireland, from the introduction of Christianity to the commencement of the thirteenth century". John Coyne – via Google Books.
  11. Bray, Gerald Lewis (3 December 2018). Ireland, 1101-1690. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. ISBN 9781843832324 – via Google Books.
  12. Castlehunter (6 March 2012). "Ireland In Ruins: Clane Abbey Co Kildare".
  13. "Clane Abbey, Kildare".
  14. "The Story of St Ailbe. Parish of Clane & Rathcoffey, Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin". www.claneparish.com.
  15. Millet, B. (3 December 1964). The Irish Franciscans, 1651-1665. Gregorian Biblical BookShop. ISBN 9788876521027 – via Google Books.
  16. "Friary and Abbey Cemetery - ClaneCommunity.ie". clanecommunity.ie.
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