Dominican Friary. THIS friary is situate on an elevated spot, near the sea-shore, in the west suburbs of the town. It stands on the site of the ancient convent of St. Mary of the Hill, a daughter of the Holy Trinity, of the Premonstratenses of Tuam, which was founded by the O'Hallorans, but at what period of time the annals of the town are silent; there is, however, every reason to pronounce it of very great antiquity. On the nuns forsaking it, the secular clergy entered, and kept possession for a considerable time; but, on the petition of the inhabitants of the town to pope Innocent VIII. it was granted, in 1488, to the Dominican friars of Athenry, by a bull, which may be seen at full (p. 323) in De Burgo's history of this celebrated order in Ireland. The Dominican convent being thus established in Galway, was richly endowed by many individuals of the town, and several considerable additions were made to the monastery and church. James Lynch Fitz-Stephen, who was mayor in 1493, and who has been already celebrated for immolating his only son at the shrine of public justice, erected the choir. Various other improvements were gradually made, until, in course of time, this became one of the most perfect religious foundations in the province. 1570, March 9th, Queen Elizabeth granted to the corporation, and their successors, part of the possessions of this monastery, then lately dissolved. 1642, Lord Forbes landing here, took possession of this house, which he converted into a battery, with intent to reduce the town; but having failed in his design, he defaced the church, and, in his brutal rage, dug up the graves, and burned the coffins and bones of the dead. 1652, The church and monastery were surrendered by the friars to the corporation, and were soon after rased to the ground, to prevent them from being converted by Cromwell's forces into a fortification against the town. It was, however, previously agreed upon by the corporation that, on the return of peace, the whole should be rebuilt and restored to its former state, at the expense of the inhabitants—an undertaking, says O'Heyn in his account of this circumstance, which they would certainly have fulfilled if the desired tranquillity had ever taken place; for, adds he, the citizens were very pious, and powerfully rich, from the extensive maritime commerce with which Galway, beyond any other part of the kingdom, abounded. Henceforth the friars of this community suffered, in common with their brethren of the other orders, all the persecutions of the times. They were, however, enabled, early in the eighteenth century, to regain possession of their ancient convent, which they soon afterwards repaired. They also, with the rest, shared in the visitation of 1731. From that period, nothing particular occurs until about the year 1800, when the present chapel was erected on the site of the former. This neat and commodious building, which is 100 feet a long, and 28 feet broad, contains a spacious gallery, with a well-toned organ. The high-altar is tastefully decorated, and there are handsome side altars to correspond. The residence of the friars is conveniently situated near the chapel, and commands a pleasing prospect of the bay, terminated by the opposite shores of Oranmore, Renvile and Ardfry, the Clare mountains, with the new light-house, and part of the town-quay and shipping. The scenery from this spot, particularly at high water, when the numerous boats appear gliding along in various directions, is highly picturesque and beautiful. This monastery produced several men eminent for piety and learning, amongst whom the subjoined have been particularly distinguished. In the adjoining cemetery, which is surrounded with an extensive wall, there are several tombs and monuments, but few of ancient date, lord Forbes having, when he landed here in 1642, destroyed and defaced all the old and curious remains of earlier times. On this occasion the mayor reported, "that they also searched the friary in the west suburbs, called the Dominican friary, wherein is a large chapel, with a gallery, some forms, and an altar-piece, defaced; in which said reputed friary there are ten chambers and eight beds, wherein, they believe, the friars belonging to the said friary usually lay, but could find none of them. That it is a very old friary, but some repairs lately made in it." Father Peter Martin was in his time very celebrated as a preacher, and O'Heyn relates that he was consulted by the highest dignitaries of the church upon all questions of religion, "veluti quoddam oraculum securitatis." He finished his pious career in 1645. Nicholas Lynch, elected provincial of Ireland in 1627, and confirmed by the general chapter of the order in Rome in 1645, was remarkable for his piety. He restored the devotion of the rosary in Galway, and was a most zealous propagator of it throughout the kingdom. Dominick Linze (Lynch) lived, for many years, with great reputation in Spain. He was appointed synodical judge in Seville; was gradually promoted to all the honors of that university; became first lecturer in arts and philosophy, master of the students, secondary professor of divinity, and was finally elected principal regent of the college of St. Thomas in that city, which he governed with universal approbation until his death, in 1697. He was so highly esteemed in Spain, that Nicholas Antonio, with much honor, ranked him among the writers of that country. His great work, entitled Summa Philosophiæ, &c. was printed at Paris, 4 vols: quarto, 1666, 1686.-Harris. When this learned man was elected regent of the college in Seville, the rector, chancellors and religious, on 13th May, 1674, deputed one of their body, the reverend father Francis de Ayora, "to go, in their names, to the kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland, and there to make particular inquiry concerning the pedigree, life and demeanor of said Dominick Linze, and to bring same back to the college."-This gentleman arrived in Galway in August following, and made the necessary inquiry: he examined several witnesses, whose testimony proved highly honorable to the distinguished individual in question. A copy of the proceedings on this occasion, (attested as a true transcript from the original in Spain by John Morgan, esq. who was recorder in 1774,) containing many curious particulars relating to the Lynches of Galway, was communicated to the author by his esteemed friend, John Lynch Alexander, esq. Father John Browne, of the Dominican order of Galway, was also particularly noticed for his virtues. He was sent into banishment in 1698, and died at Louvain in 1700. Christopher French, another member of this convent, finished his studies at Louvain. He was afterwards professor of divinity at Rome, and then for eight years at Osimo, in the marquisate of Ancona, in Italy, being invited thither by cardinal Palivicini: he returned from thence to Louvain, where he became regent of the Irish schools, and was alive in 1713. He wrote Theses Theologica, &c: Lovanii, 1703, 4to.-Harris. Andrew Kirwan, another pious Dominican, after many zealous exertions in the cause of religion in Galway, was summoned to discover against some of his friends, whereby, under the penal laws, they would have been deprived of their properties. To avoid this cruel dilemma he went into voluntary exile, and died abroad, in the year 1736. Edmund de Burgo, (Bourke,) a Dominican friar, began his studies in the convent of Galway, which he finished in Spain. He afterwards (1706) became principal regent of the Irish school of his order, in Louvain. He died in Rome about 1738. For a list of his numerous writings see Harris, and also the learned and ingenious historian of this order, John O'Heyn, who was also a Dominican friar, and, as Harris thinks, a native of Galway. The following are the earliest inscriptions now remaining: * Hic jacet Corpus Pauricii D'Ferrall—Propicietur Deus-8°, 1588. Drent pro anima fratris Cho. Linc Anton,' Drð' Pred defuncti Anno 1627. Augustinian Friary. THIS friary was situate on an eminence near the sea, in the south suburbs of the town, and within a few hundred yards of the walls. It was founded, in 1508, by Margaret Athy, wife of Stephen Lynch Fitz-Dominick Dubh, (who was many years mayor of the town,) at the earnest solicitation of Richard Nangle, a friar of the same order, who afterwards became archbishop of Tuam.* The position which was chosen commanded a fine prospect of the bay, the surrounding mountains, and the three distant islands of Arran; and the monastery itself, from its elevated situation, (particularly when viewed from the bay,) appeared to peculiar advantage. 1517, July 17th, Richard Edmund de Burgo confirmed unto Richard Nangle, Sacre pagine professori, of the order of hermits of St. Augustine, and to father Donot O'Maille, prior of the same convent of the new monastery of Galway, of the same order, and to their successors, in free and perpetual alms for ever, "his parish church of Roscam, in the diocess of Enaghdowne, with the cemetery on the west part of the wall of said church, a certain parcel of land near the same, called Tirnahalle, situate in breadth to the great stones in the west of Tirmahalle, and in length from the sea upwards to the wall near the wood, and also another large tract, commonly called Gortintagart, with liberty of pasture for eight cows and six horses, to pray for the souls of himself, his parents and 1570, March 9th, Queen Elizabeth granted to the corporation and their successors, part of the possessions of this monastery, then lately dissolved, which grant she afterwards renewed on 11th September, 1578, for forty years and on 11th February, 1603, James I. granted all its possessions to Sir George Carew, knt. his heirs and assigns for ever. This monastery was commenced by the pious foundress during her husband's absence in Spain. The church and steeple having been finished before his return, he was surprised, on entering the bay, to behold so stately a building in a place where, at his departure, not a stone had been laid; but when, on landing, he found that it had been erected by his own wife, in honor of St. Augustine, his surprise was converted into joy; and the good man, kneeling down on the sea-shore, returned thanks to Heaven for inspiring her with that pious resolution. This lady afterwards made a pilgrimage to St. James's, in Galicia, and intended to visit the Holy land, but was prevented by illness.-Annals. F. Lubin mentions that there was in this convent a spring, called St. Augustine's Well, the water whereof wrought miraculous cures; but in this he was mistaken, for the well known by that name (with two others, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. John the Baptist) is situate at a considerable distance to the S. E. of the monastery, on the shore of the inlet of the sea called Logha-thalia. These springs are resorted to at stated times, (but particularly on the 28th of August, being the festival of the saint,) and certain devotions are performed around them, and it is asserted that the water has effected several cures, particularly that of restoring sight to the blind. Besides these, there are several other holy wells in the vicinity of Galway, viz.: St. Bride's, in the east suburbsSt. Bridget's, at the end of the Earl's-lane, within a few paces of the present custom-house-St. Anne's, about half a mile towards the west of the town, near the strand-and another farther on in the same direction, near the sea-shore; to each of which miracles have been also attributed. Ware finds fault with Crusenius for calling this convent Calviensis; but for which, says Allemande, he was not to blame, having taken it from the registers of the order. The latter writer adds, that neither of them mentions the time of the founding, or the founder's name; but states that he himself had heard it was founded by the Birminghams, in the thirteenth century. It is very probable that he mistook this for some other foundation. Original deed. On the suppression of the monastery, the friars removed to a large house within the town, in which they resided for many years after. The church, however, remained standing; and on the building of St. Augustine's fort, in 1602, it was converted into a store for the use of the soldiery. When this fort was demolished, in 1643, the monastery was spared, and delivered up to the friars, by whom it was repaired; but in 1652 was again surrendered to the corporation, who caused it to be pulled down, lest it should be fortified against the town. Since that time it has been entirely abandoned, and not a vestige of the church now remains. The cemetery is extensive; and, though there are several modern gravestones, it does not, for very obvious reasons, contain any monument of antiquity." The friars, like their cotemporaries of the other orders, experienced for many years all the rigors of state persecution. About the middle of the last century, they removed to a large commodious house in Middle-street, where they erected a handsome chapel. This building has been recently enlarged and improved, and, from its central situation, is particularly convenient for the inhabitants of the town. Carmelite Friary. THIS friary is said to have been founded here by the De Burgo family; but upon what authority it is attributed to them, or at what period it was erected, are not mentioned. In 1647, the friars opposed the pope's nuncio, Rinuncini, (See p. 124;) and his treatment of them on the occasion formed one of the principal articles of accusation brought against him by the supreme council.(Hib. Dom. p. 684.)-These friars were soon after banished with the other religious and clergy, and have never since been reinstated in the town. The Capuchin Friars. ON the restoration of the Catholics, in 1689, the Capuchins petitioned the corporation for leave to return, and be established in as full and ample manner The Augustinian convent of Galway ranks next to that of Dublin; and, from its thus taking precedence of all other convents of the order in Ireland, some are inclined to infer that it must have been founded earlier than the sixteenth century-an inference which would be undeniable, if these foundations ranked according to time. The corporation covenanted, that, on the restoration of peace, the church and convent should be rebuilt. Their bond to that effect is now in the possession of the Rev. Mr. Tierney, a respectable men.ber of this order. The two following inscriptions are the oldest now remaining: "We earnestly begg, dear christians, to say one AveMaria for the souls of John Bodkin, of Anagh, his wife, Megg Blake, of Ardfry, and their Posterity. This is the first tomb made in this abby, in the year 1745." "Hic jacet Dominus Hugo Fergus, experitissimus Medicus. obiit 27 Augusti, 1758. Requiescat in pace. Amen." The burial-place extending daily beyond its ancient limits, the proprietor of the adjoining ground inclosed it with a stone wall, and erected a handsome gate at the entrance, with the following inscription! "This Burial-ground inclosed at the expense of Robert Hedges Eyre, Esq. as a mark of his respect and esteem for the inhabitants of the town of Galway, in August, 1811." In 1731, the mayor reported that the sheriffs "searched the reputed friary in Back-street, called the Augustinian Friary, wherein there was a chapel, with forms, but the altar and pictures taken down; and within which said reputed friary there are seven chambers and nine beds, wherein they apprehend the friars used to lie, but could not find or discover any of the said friars; which said house, they believe, was converted to a friary many years ago, and before the reign of king George I." -Com. Jour. M M within the town as their predecessors had formerly been.-(See p. 266, note.)— This request was accordingly granted; but they soon after shared the fate of their cotemporaries of the other convents, and the order has never since been revived in Galway. Knights Templars. THIS famous order had a convent here, beyond the east gate; but it was suppressed in 1312, and its possessions granted by Edward II. to the hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. The circular foundation of this ancient building may be seen marked on the old map of the town, at the south-west corner of the green. Franciscan Nunnery, or Convent of St. Clare. THE principal religious foundations for which Galway had been formerly so celebrated, and for which it is even still distinguished, may be traced to the piety of its ancient inhabitants. In 1511, Walter Lynch Fitz-Thomas (who was mayor of the town in 1504, and again in 1513,) bestowed on his daughter a dwelling-house near St. Nicholas' church, which was afterwards known as "the house of the poor nuns of the third order of St. Francis". Nothing particular occurs concerning this community until 1619, when the nuns presented a memorial to the corporation, praying a grant of as much ground in Island-altenagh, at the west of the town, as would be sufficient for erecting a monastery and other necessary buildings. Their request having been acceded to, they soon after erected a handsome monastery on that island; but they enjoyed it only for a b In the genealogical account of the Dillon family in Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, it is stated, that Ellen and Cecilia, the eighth and ninth daughters of Theobald, first viscount of that name, and nuns of the order of St. Clare, had established the Franciscan order of nuns in Galway; but for this statement no authority whatsoever has been, (nor as is apprehended could be) given.-Vide Lodge, Vol. IV. p. 184. This memorial was to the following effect :-"That your petitioners, members of this corporation, did some yeares sithence forsake the world for to serve the Almighty, and what through the distempers of the times, and through God's holy will, have suffered great affliction these seven yeares past, and in their necessity, as bound by nature, repaired to this towne; shewing further that, through necessity, by reason of the times, their parents and friends are unable to furnish their wants, as in peaceable tymes they have intended; and that your poor petitioners doe suffer much by the exorbitant rent they pay, and, notwithstanding their due payment, are to be thrust out of their dwelling next May, their lease being then ended; the premises considered, and taken to your consideration the inconvenience of religious women who want habitation, the convenience of their residence in this place, the preferment of young children, though poor, shall be relieved, by God's assistance, in our convent, the everlasting prayers to be made for you, the glory of God, the preservation of the town, by your petitioners and their successors their intercessions, the honour of Gallway, to befounde such a monasterie; the petitioners humbly pray that you may be pleased to grant them sufficient roome for building a monasterie and rooms convenient thereunto, a garden and orchard in the next island, adjoyning to the bridge of Illanalltenagh; and for that your petitioners is building will be rather a strength than any annoyance, hindrance or impeachment, either to the highway leading to the other island, or to the safety and preservation of this corporation; which granted, they will ever pray. Sister Mary Bonaventure, unworthy abbesse." Immediately after this memorial, the following entry appears in the corporation-book A:-" Consideration being had of the contents of this petition, it is thought fit by the mayor and councill, for the reasons therein inserted, that petitioners demands be granted, provided they make up a common and bridge to the other island. 1st July, 1649."-Vide the old map of Galway, p. 31. This is the nunnery mentioned by Pococke in his Journal to have been situate in an island in LoughCorrib, to the west of the town, and afterwards alluded to by Archdall in the Monasticon, p. 288. |