Dominican Priories in Ireland were normally built outside the town walls, but here in Athenry, the first Priory was built Inside the town walls, on the opposite side of the river from the original castle fortress. (You can see more about that here.)
The same founder of the Athenroy castle, Meiler De Bermingham also is credited with purchasing the land to present to the Dominicans. He bought it in 1241, and then gave them the money, knights, horses, wine and cloths for the building itself. When he died in 1252, Meiler was buried here.
Over time, the native Irish and the Normans extended the complex, creating a seperate dining hall, dormitory, infirmary, and the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The chapel was enlarged in 1324, and in in 1425, the tower was added.
The building was destroyed in 1652, by Cromwellian soldiers (who also destroyed the nearby castle).
Today, it’s a fairly quiet little ruin – where the tourists may visit – but the local cats choose to hang out and bathe in the sun.
