Roscrea

Roscrea derives its name from Ros-cre, Cre's wood.

It is a manufacturing and market town where the Dublin Limerick road crosses between Slieve Bloom and Devil's bit mountain.

In the 7th C St.Cronin founded a monastery here and in the 12th C an Augustinian priory flourished on the same site. Only the West gable and belfry survive. The doorway is a good example of Hiberno- Romanesque Architecture.

On the opposite side of the road stands a well preserved round tower standing 60 feet high, it is missing the last 20 feet. Of the Franciscan Friary only the East and North walls of the Chancel, parts of the Northern Nave arcade and bell tower remain.

This is now the entrance to the Catholic church. In the centre of Roscrea stands a well restored Queen Anne House built by the Damers. It now houses the Roscrea Heritage Centre.

Above from left, Damer House, housing the Roscrea Heritage Centre, centre the Portcullis entrance from the building right. The building right is a rectangular gate tower known as Ormonde Castle which stands within the enclosure of the original strongholdtraditionally erected by King John in 1280. The gables and the chimney stacks are 17th C additions.
The carved stone design left and right is taken from a Bank front in Roscrea.

Above, the remains of St.Cronins Church, 7th C.

Above images from Monahincha Priory. Note: The Doorway is Romanesque in style.

The Priory stands in Monahincha Bog near a tiny lake, a relic of the historic Loch Cré which was drained away about 1730. The bog is named after the former island Inis na mBeo, Island of the Living, which was one of the wonders of Pre-Norman Ireland. It was believed that the dead could not decay there.

On the Island are the remains of the "Abbey", a small Arro-asian monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. They comprise of a small figured stone cross and a beautiful Romanesque Church. Much of the original work of the jambs and of the third arch is missing or defaced.

The South window of the Chancel is original and the East window is a 13 C replacement. It is associated with St.Colum whose feast fell on May 15th.