The Franciscan Friary of Nenagh, known locally as the Abbey, is believed to have been founded in 1250AD by Donagh O’Kennedy, the Bishop of Killaloe. However usually it was the Norman Settlers, in this case the Fitzwalters who invited the religious orders into these areas and they may have had some part in its establishment. The Friary was the chief house for eight other friaries and its importance led to a synod being held there in 1344. The Annals of Nenagh were compiled at the friary from 1336 to 1528, copies of which still exist in Trinity College Dublin. The Friary was allegedly burned down by a local family, the O’Carrolls, in 1548 and was dissolved under the reign of Elizabeth I in 1570. The Friars struggled on and stayed at Nenagh until 1587. The Friary was then abandoned for 45 years until it was occupied by a community of Observant Franciscan Friars (a branch of Franciscans who live a more life of hermit like observance, and adhered more strictly to the teachings of St Francis) who were expelled during the Cromwellian Campaign in Ireland. They returned once more in 1680s but were banished again by the Penal Laws however they kept a presence in the area until 1766. 

The abbey was built in a gothic style, with tall thin windows. The highlight of the structure is its beautiful east gable with the three largest lancet windows, above these is a small window that allowed for roof access and also for ventilation purposes. There are multiple burials within the walls of the Friary and also in the grounds that surround it, the earliest visible one dating to 1696.

GPS: 52.86294, -8.19681