Timoleague Friary, Franciscan monastery ruins in Timoleague, Ireland.
Timoleague Friary is a medieval monastery with stone walls positioned along the Argideen River, featuring large Gothic windows and a central cloister design. The remains include a nave, transept, and tower that showcase the typical layout of such religious buildings from this period.
Franciscan friars established this religious complex in the 13th century on ground where Saint Molaga had founded an earlier Christian settlement centuries before. English soldiers destroyed much of the structure in the 17th century, yet substantial portions of the walls and layout survived.
The graveyard surrounding the ruins shows how local families treated this as a sacred burial ground across centuries. The carved headstones scattered throughout reveal names and dates of those who found their resting place here.
The ruins sit beside the river and are surrounded by gravestones, so plan time to explore the various sections carefully. The grounds are open to the public, though the terrain can be muddy or slippery after rain.
A small opening in the south window allowed people with leprosy to participate in worship from outside, keeping them separated from the congregation. This opening, sometimes called the Leper's Hole, reveals how the community balanced disease prevention with spiritual inclusion.
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