Kilkenny Grey Friary, Franciscan friary and national monument in Kilkenny, Ireland

Kilkenny Grey Friary is a medieval Franciscan friary and National Monument in Kilkenny city, behind the old Smithwick's brewery site just south of where the Breagagh meets the Nore. Its remains include a great east window of seven lancet lights divided by slender mullions, plus the nave, chancel, bell tower and sacristy. A holy well bearing St. Francis's name also survives.

The friary was founded in 1232 and remained an active Franciscan centre in Kilkenny for more than three centuries. The Reformation in Ireland brought its religious life to an end in 1559, after which the buildings fell gradually into ruin.

The friars brewed ale here from the 14th century, and in 1710 the Smithwick's brewery was set up on the site, continuing that brewing tradition. A chalice was presented to the abbey by the Archer family in 1606. The sacristy has been restored as an oratory within the brewery grounds.

The site sits in Kilkenny city centre, close to the castle and St. Canice's Cathedral, so it fits naturally into a walking tour of the historic core. The ground around the ruins can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.

Although the friary was abandoned after 1559, the grounds continued to be used as a burial place by local families for generations afterward. Some grave markers are still visible on the site, pointing to a long connection between the ruins and the surrounding community.