Kilcrea Friary
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The ruins of Kilcrea Friary (also called Kilcrea Abbey) are located near the town of Aherla in County Cork, Ireland at .
On the site on an earlier monastery, named after Saint Cyra,founded in 1465 for the Observant Franciscans by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy Lord of Muskerry. He is interred in the middle of the choir.
Consists of a nave and chancel church with tower, cloister and surrounding east, west and north range of buildings. The Friary was officially suppressed in 1542 but continued in use under MacCarthy patronage. It was sacked by English troops in 1584. In 1597 it was granted to Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy who leased it to Richard Hardinge. In 1661 it was granted to the first lord of Clancarty. In 1892 it was vested in the Commissioners of Public Works.
However, as late as 1832, a few friars managed to stay on the site. A graveyard is situated within the ruins of the Abbey. This was the burials place of the MacCarthy’s of Muskerry from 1494 to 1616 commencing with Cormac MacCarthy. No trace of the MacCarthy tombs survive. Used for general burial since early seventeenth century.
About 8 km (5 miles) west of Cork, take a left off of N22. The abbey is located about 1 to 1.5 kilometers from the N22 along a one-lane road with almost no places for passing. It is just after a very narrow stone bridge. There is also a keep nearby.
Power et al. 1997, Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Vol. III, 372, No. 9482.
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