Old St. Mary's Church, Clonmel — Attraction in The Borough District of Clonmel

The Cashel Dominicans are believed to have moved to Clonmel during the persecution. This church is remarkably similar to the friary in Cashel and that has made some commentators link this site to the Dominicans but that is unlikely to be true.

It is most likely that this was the original 12th century parish church for the town of Clonmel and it was changed to reformed worship during the English Reformation. Many parish churches simply changed designation at that time and St Mary's is most likely to be one of them. Friary churches were often re-designated as courthouses or given over to some other civil function. The fact that St Mary's continues as a parish church of the Church of Ireland indicates that it was the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish before becoming that of the Anglican parish.

Sadly it is closed all the time except for service so no possibility of visiting as a tourist.

As for the friars, if they lived in Clonmel at all, it is most likely that they lived on or near Suir Island where they reputedly ran a school - they were never connected...

A beautiful church, large high round tower and grounds, parking is on the road beside the church, it has a large garden attached and a stone wall surround it that has the look of an old monastery and there are tombs and headstones all the way around it, in a corner is something like a castle corner turret, all in all a lovey location to visit and sit and enjoy all it has to...

Beautiful old church set in an old graveyard flanked by the old town walls As well as religious services the church plays host to classical concerts every March as part of a festival of female composers. Called Finding a Voice. The space has wonderful stainglass and us lit by a beautiful...