Portumna Friary, Medieval friary ruins in Portumna, Ireland
Portumna Friary comprises stone ruins of a church with nave, chancel, and transepts, displaying Gothic architectural features such as pointed arches and a limestone altar. The remains sit on a grassy site accessible to visitors who wish to explore the layout of the medieval complex.
The site was founded in 1254 by Cistercian monks from Dunbrody Abbey and passed to Dominican control in 1426 under Murchad Ó Madáin. These changes in religious order reflected the shifting influences across medieval Ireland.
The friary served different religious communities across centuries, leaving traces of these shifts visible in how the space was adapted and used. Walking through the ruins today, you can sense the layers of faith and practice that shaped this place.
The site lies roughly 500 meters south of Portumna town center and welcomes visitors throughout the year without any entrance fee. You can walk around the ruins freely at your own pace and pace to take in the remains.
Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, married Honora Burke here on January 9, 1689, during a period of intense conflict in Irish history. This event links the friary to one of the nation's pivotal moments.
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