quin franciscan friary

A church which stood on the site was burned in 1278, but two years later DeClare built it up as a castle forming a square with massive rounded towers at the corners. Parts of these towers still survive. In 1236 the garrison killed an Irish chief called O'Liddy, whereupon the Irish under Cuvea Macnamara attacked and ransacked the castle. By 1350 another church was built on top of the castle ruins, but much of this church was renewed by Sioda Cam Macnamara around 1433 when the Franciscans were brought to Quin. The church has a tower and well-preserved east, west and south windows, and a south transept. The cloisters are some of the best-preserved Franciscan examples in the country, with a dormitory on the first floor. In the church there is an interesting collection of 15th-19th century tombstones. St. Finghin's Church: On the other side of the stream is St. Finghin's Church, built between 1278 and 1285. It is a long rectangular church with triple lancet windows and the remains of a richly moulded south window.