Timoleague Franciscan Friary, Co Cork

Timoleague Franciscan Friary (W472436) is an extensive ruin. There is a long church with a south transept. The nave has a south aisle of five bays and the transept has a west aisle of three bays. The columns dividing the bays show a great variety. There are plain masonry divisions, round columns and elongated octagonal columns.

View From The South West

The transept has a small east chapel and a fine three-light south window. The west doorway of the nave is surmounted by a small recess and a large two-light window. There is a tomb niche in the north wall of the nave and another in the north wall of the chancel has fragments of a traceried hood. Mural passages in the east wall lead from the east window to a stairway in the north wall and to a room above the sacristy.

The Transept And Aisle Arcades

There is a tall thin central tower. It has no vault. The sacristy to the north of the church contains a fine bullaun stone. A long two-storey building with a basement runs north from the sacristy. The cloister lies to the north of the church. The cloister arcade is divided into three-light groups with possibly three groups along each side. Only one corner has been reconstructed.

View Along The Nave Looking West

The friary was founded in the early 14th century by Donal Glas MacCarthy or William de Barry. The tower was built about 1500 by the Bishop of Ross.