Burrishoole Friary

Burrishoole Friary consists of monastery ruins standing beside an active cemetery within a tidal bay setting. The remaining structures include a church nave, chancel, tower, south transept, and partial cloisters that outline the layout of the original Dominican community.

Richard de Burgo founded this Dominican friary in 1470 without seeking papal approval, and later withdrew there to spend his final years before dying in 1473. This act of establishing a religious house without official permission reflected the power of local nobility in medieval Ireland.

The active cemetery on the grounds displays graves spanning centuries, with elaborate family monuments that visitors can still see today. This mixing of old burials with contemporary graves shows how the place remains integral to local life.

The site lies about 3 kilometers from Newport and offers year-round free public access with parking available on site. Visitors can walk freely among the ruins and explore the cemetery grounds at their own pace.

A chalice from 1494 discovered here bears the names of a local nobleman and his wife, who was a close relative of the legendary Pirate Queen. This artifact reveals an unexpected connection between this quiet religious site and one of Ireland's most famous historical figures.

Location: County Mayo

Inception: 1469

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

GPS coordinates: 53.89883,-9.57232

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21