Castledermot Friary, Franciscan monastery ruins in County Kildare, Ireland
Castledermot Friary is a monastery site with church ruins in County Kildare, Ireland. The building features a single undivided nave, a chancel, a 14th-century side structure with three chapels along the eastern wall, and a tower for defense.
The site was founded in the early 13th century as a Franciscan monastery by Walter de Riddlesford II. In 1316, the complex fell victim to an attack and was burned during Edward Bruce's campaign through the region.
A carved tomb shows two figures in relief and bears an eight-pointed fleur-de-lys cross, a symbol rarely seen in this form. This burial monument speaks to the importance of the individuals and their place in the community during the medieval period.
The ruins sit on the western side of Route R448 at the southern edge of Castledermot and are visible from the road. Access is straightforward, giving visitors a clear view of the remaining walls, chapels, and the defensive tower.
The monastery is one of only three Franciscan churches in Ireland with a northern transept featuring three pointed arches. This architectural feature makes it notably rare among similar sites across the country.
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