A small group of English Dominicans arrived in Ireland in 1224. They came over at the invitation of the Normans who were, at that time, busily trying to conquer the country and they set up houses in the areas won by the Normans, usually at the invitation of the local Lord. Soon, however, the Irish themselves began to join this Order of Preachers and the Irish Chieftains invited them to set up Priories in their territory Soon the Order became strong enough in the country to be able to set up Priories, without invitation. They did just that in Kilmallock in 1291.

They bought a piece of land from the Burgess of the town - John Bluett. However, they hadn't got the permission of the Lord of Kilmallock, who was also Bishop of Limerick - Gerald de Marshall. So only seven weeks after their arrival, Bishop Gerald sent his men to Kilmallock, and they pulled down the small house the Dominicans had built in the meadow by the river. The Dominicans complained immediately to the king. The case was examined at Cashel. The Jury decided in favour of the Dominicans an allowed them stay on in Kilmallock.

As soon as they got permission, they started building again. They first built the church. The inside was very simple as the Dominican's Rule forbade the use of ornament of olde except for the chalices. It was long and narrow, divided into Choir and Nave. The Choir was well lit by the lancet windows, so the Friars were able to read their prayer books. The people in the nave didn't need light as very few were able to read.

The Tower South Aisle and South Transept with it's beautiful window, were built in the 15th. Century. Only the foundations of the pillars, which supported the roof of the SouthAisle, now remain.

The nicest time to arrive at the Church was late in the evening. There would have been a few people in the church for Compline (night prayer). The nave where the people were was almost dark. The light came through the Tower- archway from the choir. After chating the Psalms, the Friars walked in procession through the archway and into the nave, singing "Salve Regina" (Hail Holy Queen). Then after singing the hymn to St. Dominic, they walke back under the Tower into the Choir. When they had finished singing, they bowed to the Prior, then to the Blessed Sacrament and went straight to bed so that they could get up during the night for Matins (morning prayer).

After centures of growth and additions to the Priory, there came the Order of King Henry V111, that all monasteries in Englang and Ireland had to be closed. In 1541 the Kilmallock Priory was given to James, Earl of Desmond. Then in 1954, we hear that the Dominican Priory of Kilmallock, 3 gardens, 11 acres and it's water-mill, were given to Nicholas Mian.

As soon as they got permission, they started building again. They first built the church. The inside was very simple as the Dominican's Rule forbade the use of ornament of olde except for the chalices. It was long and narrow, divided into Choir and Nave. The Choir was well lit by the lancet windows, so the Friars were able to read their prayer books. The people in the nave didn't need light as very few were able to read.

The Tower South Aisle and South Transept with it's beautiful window, were built in the 15th. Century. Only the foundations of the pillars, which supported the roof of the SouthAisle, now remain.

The nicest time to arrive at the Church was late in the evening. There would have been a few people in the church for Compline (night prayer). The nave where the people were was almost dark. The light came through the Tower- archway from the choir. After chating the Psalms, the Friars walked in procession through the archway and into the nave, singing "Salve Regina" (Hail Holy Queen). Then after singing the hymn to St. Dominic, they walke back under the Tower into the Choir. When they had finished singing, they bowed to the Prior, then to the Blessed Sacrament and went straight to bed so that they could get up during the night for Matins (morning prayer).

After centures of growth and additions to the Priory, there came the Order of King Henry V111, that all monasteries in Englang and Ireland had to be closed. In 1541 the Kilmallock Priory was given to James, Earl of Desmond. Then in 1954, we hear that the Dominican Priory of Kilmallock, 3 gardens, 11 acres and it's water-mill, were given to Nicholas Mian.

However, by 1622 the Dominicans were back again in Kilmallock. When the Papal Nuncio, Rinuccini, arrived in Ireland in 1654, he decided to stay for a few days in the Kilmallock Priory. Three years later the Priory was attacked by soldiers. All but two of the community escaped to the town. They were seen by the soldiers kneeling before the altar and were immediately killed

There is an old note-book in the archives of the Order, written in 1864 by Fr. Russell. He went to visit Kilmallock and wrote an account of what he saw. "There was another brudge connecting the Abbey grounds with the town near the Castle entrance, at the City of Limerick side".

Mr. Buckley, writing of the Priory said: "Quite delapidated - unroofed - my grand-mother who was 105 years old when she died, saw part of it roofed by the Friars of the Order and used for a chapel. Gold-finders dreamt that larget sums were deposited under the walls. Many of the most beautiful carved stones were removed from the Abbey to embellish a house being built in the neighbourhood. At present it is entirely abandoned to ruin. A great part of the roof of the refectory has fallen lately".

The last Mass was said in the Priory about 1790 by Fr. James Dwane O.P.

effinns@iol.ie