St John The Baptist Priory is the ruins of a 13th century monastery and infirmary just outside Trim in Co. Meath. The Priory was first built by Bishop of Meath, Simon de Rochfort in 1202 AD. The monastery was founded for an Augustinian order of monks named as the ‘Fratres Cruciferi’ otherwise known as the ‘Crutched Friars’. The monastery and the hospital would have co-existed with facilities built specifically for caring for the sick and infirm. Although the monastery was founded in the 13th century a lot of the features still visible today date from the 1400s, including the three story tower house, however the nave and chancel of the church date from the 13th century. The main buildings are surrounded by a defensive wall and a watchtower stands close by. The priory was dissolved in 1539, and was used at a later date as both a private residence and then again as a hospital during the 1700s before it fell into ruin.
The skies couldn’t have turned brighter as I arrived at the priory last October it is a beautiful place to ramble around and a recommended short detour on a journey to historic Trim and its impressive castle.
GPS: 53.55514, -6.76842