claregalway friary 13th century franciscan abbey

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Claregalway Friary, 13th century Franciscan abbey

Claregalway Friary is a medieval Franciscan abbey that dates back to the 13th century. The friary is located in the town of Claregalway, on the banks of the River Clare, and is easily accessible from Galway city.The friary was founded by John de Cogan, an Anglo-Norman lord who conquered parts of Connacht in the 1230s. He invited the Franciscan order to establish a monastery on his lands, and gave them generous donations of land and money. The friary was completed around 1250, and became one of the first and most important Franciscan houses in the west of Ireland.