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Ardfert Abbey

Coordinates: 52°19′49″N 9°46′26″W / 52.330162°N 9.773831°W / 52.330162; -9.773831
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Ardfert Abbey
Mainistir Ard Fhearta
Ruins of the abbey church
Ardfert Abbey is located in Ireland
Ardfert Abbey
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesArd-ferta-brenainn; Hertfert; Hyferte; Ifert
OrderOrder of Friars Minor Conventual
Establishedc. 1253
Disestablished1584
DioceseArdfert and Aghadoe
People
Founder(s)Thomas Fitzmaurice, 1st Baron Kerry
Architecture
StatusInactive
StyleLate Gothic
Site
LocationArdfert, County Kerry
Coordinates52°19′49″N 9°46′26″W / 52.330162°N 9.773831°W / 52.330162; -9.773831
Visible remainschoir, nave, cloister, dormitory
Public accessyes
Official nameArdfert Abbey
Reference no.358

Ardfert Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Ard Fhearta),[1] also known as Ardfert Friary, is a ruined medieval Franciscan friary and National Monument in Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland.[2][3][4] It is thought to be built on the site of an early Christian monastic site founded by Brendan the Navigator. The present remains date from the mid-thirteenth century, with the residential tower being added in the 15th century. The friary was dissolved in 1584.

History

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It is thought that Ardfert was the original site of the monastery founded by Brendan the Navigator, which burned down c.1089.[5]

Ardfert Friary was founded for the Order of Friars Minor Conventual c. 1253 by Thomas Fitzmaurice, 1st Baron Kerry; he was purportedly buried here c. 1280–1.[6] In 1310 a disagreement with the Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe Nicol Ó Samradáin led to some friars suffering violent beatings.

A residential tower was added to the west end of the church in the 15th century.[7]

It was refounded in 1517 for the Observant Franciscan Friars and finally dissolved in 1584; Col. John Zouche turned it into a barracks. Some friars remained in the area. In 1590 it belonged to James FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Desmond.[8]

In 1636 the friary was absorbed into the estate of the Earls of Glandore (Crosbie family).[9][10] In 1670 the 15th-century window of the church was moved to Ardfert Cathedral;[11] it was returned to the friary in 1815.

Buildings

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The layout of the building follows the standard layout of most Franciscan friaries: a large church, a cloister, and residential offices.[12]

The church features a long nave and a chancel. A residential tower was added to the west end in the 15th century. It contains five floors, some with window seats and garderobes.

There is a thirteenth-century window divided into five lights at the east gable which would have lit up the choir. There are also nine lancet windows in the south wall; the design appears to be copied from Ardfert Cathedral.

Below the nine south windows there are 5 niche tombs added in the later centuries.[13][14][15][16][17]

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Saints and Stones: Ardfert Friary (Mainistir Ard Fhearta)". www.saintsandstones.net. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Ardfert Friary - TripAdvisor". www.tripadvisor.ie.
  3. ^ "Ardfert Friary founded 1253 by Anglo Norman Fitzmaurice clan - Ardfert Village". www.ardfert.ie.
  4. ^ "Holdings: Ardfert Abbey, Ardfert, Co. Kerry". catalogue.nli.ie. 1900.
  5. ^ Hickson 1895, p. 30.
  6. ^ Orpen 1914, p. 313.
  7. ^ Pochin Mould 1976, p. 170.
  8. ^ King 1986, p. 60.
  9. ^ Fraser 1844, p. 340.
  10. ^ O'Laughlin, Michael C. (1 March 1999). Families of Co. Kerry, Ireland. Irish Roots Cafe. ISBN 9780940134362 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Hickson 1895, p. 31.
  12. ^ "Ardfert Cathedral and Abbey, County Kerry". 18 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Ardfert Franciscan Friary - Monastic Ireland". www.monastic.ie.
  14. ^ "Ardfert Abbey". megalithicireland.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Ardfert Franciscan Friary". irishantiquities.bravehost.com.
  16. ^ "Ardfert Friary: Ardfert, Co Kerry - Ireland Travel Kit". www.irelandtravelkit.com.
  17. ^ Toal, Caroline (15 December 1995). North Kerry archaeological survey. Brandon. ISBN 9780863221866 – via Google Books.

Sources

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