slane friary

The site is intimately associated with the lighting of the first Paschal Fire in Ireland by St. Patrick in 433, thus symbolising the triumph of Christianity over paganism. St. Erc founded a monastery here in Early Christian times, and there was also a medieval abbey here, but little is known about the history of the place until it was rebuilt in its present form in 1512 when Sir Christopher Flemmyng founded a small Franciscan Third Order friary here. Both it and the College beside it were surrendered in 154, and in 1543 the lands were granted to Sir James Flemmyng. In 1631 the Capuchins were settled in the monastery, where they stayed until the advent of Cromwell. The church was finally abandoned as a place of worship in 1723. The church has a nave and chancel, and a short south aisle, as well as a tower at the western end. The window on the eastern face of the tower, just above the door, is earlier and is probably taken from an older church on the site. Nearby is the College which was founded by Sir Christopher Flemmyng for four priests, four lay-brothers and four choristers.