As you drive from Ballina to Killala (on the R314, along the west side of Killala Bay), you will encounter two well-preserved remains of friaries, Rosserk and Moyne. Rosserk is well signposted, and there is even a small carpark at the Friary.
One of the finest and best preserved of the Franciscan Friaries in Ireland, it was founded for the Franciscan Third Order friars
around 1440. This order was established for lay people so life was a bit easier for them. Well, it wasn't actually, since
Sir Richard Bingham (doing his bit for ecumenism) burned it down in 1590. He also burned Moyne. A finely carved doorway leads to the single-aisled church which has a graceful east window. In the south chapel
is another fine window. In the south-east corner of the chancel is a double piscina, unique in that it has a Round Tower carved
on one of the pillars. Other carvings on the piscina include two angels and the instruments of the passion. the domestic buildings
are well preserved with three vaulted rooms on each side. The dormitory , refectory and kitchen were on the upper floor,
where two fireplaces back to back can be seen.
The historical information in this gallery was taken from Peter Harbison's "Guide to National and Historic Monuments of Ireland" and Cary Meehan's "The Traveller's Guide to Sacred Ireland".
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| View of Rosserk on the edge of Killala Bay | Front door of friary, which faces inland | Tower.jpg | Chancel.jpg | Arch.jpg |
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| Arch.jpg | doublepiscina.jpg | Courtyard.jpg | Fireplace.jpg | Overview.jpg |