French Church

The French Church, also known as Greyfriars Abbey, is a former Franciscan friary built in 1241 on what is now Greyfriars and Baileys New Street in Waterford, Ireland. It was one of the first Franciscan friaries established in Ireland, founded by the Anglo-Norman knight Sir Hugh Purcell. At the entrance to the ancient church stands a monument to Luke Wadding, a seventeenth-century Waterford-born priest. In 1394, Richard II lodged in the church while planning his assault on the Irish clans in the Wicklow Mountains. It is said to be the scene of the surrender of four Irish clan chiefs — the O'Conor Don, de Burgo, O'Brien and O'Kennedy — to Richard II in 1395 during one of his two visits to Ireland. In the late fifteenth century a bell tower was added; it stands 25 metres high and remains in evidence today. The bells from this tower were sold in 1541 by Henry VIII and are said to be now in Christchurch Cathedral nearby. The bell frame remained on the site until 1809. With the dissolution of the monasteries in April 1541, the friary was suppressed by Henry VIII, though the friars were allowed to remain in the city. The contents of the property were sold, and on 19 January 1541 a rather large sum of money was realised from the sale of the chattels of the friary — £34.8s.7d compared to the Blackfriars' sale of £24.13s.8d. By 1541 one bell remained unsold. Henry VIII granted a charter in 1544 to convert part of the building into a hospital or almshouse. In the seventeenth century, the choir of the church was adapted by Bishop Nathaniel Foy for use by Huguenots who had been invited to Waterford to work in the linen industry. This led to the name "French Church". The graveyard contains the graves of Sir Hugh Purcell (c. 1250), the founder, who lies beside the high altar; Lord Richard Poer (8 August 1607), Baron of Curraghmore; his wife Catherine de Barry, daughter of the Great Barry, Viscount of Buttivant; Sir Nicholas Walsh (12 April 1615), one of the chief judges of the kingdom in the Court of Common Pleas; Nicholas Power, Lord of Kilmeaden (buried 3 April 1635); and John Roberts (1712/14–1796), architect. The site is listed as a National Monument in County Waterford and is a protected ruin. It is no longer an active place of worship or commercial entity, but it remains a significant heritage landmark in Waterford.

The French Church, also known as Greyfriars Abbey, was built in 1241 on what is now Greyfriars and Baileys New Street, Waterford, Ireland. It was one of the first Franciscan friaries to be built in Ireland, founded by the Anglo-Norman Knight Sir Hugh Purcell. At the entrance to the ancient church stands a monument to Luke Wadding, a seventeenth-century Waterford-born priest. In 1394 Richard II lodged in the church while making plans for his assault on the Irish clans in the Wicklow Mountains. It was said to be the scene of the surrender of four Irish clan chiefs (the O'Conor Don, de Burgo, O'Brien and O'Kennedy) to Richard II in 1395 when he made one of his two visits to Ireland. In the late fifteenth century a bell tower was added which is 25 metres high and it is still in evidence today. The bells from this tower were sold in 1541 by Henry VIII and are said to be now in Christchurch Cathedral nearby. The bell frame which suspended the bells remained on the site until 1809. With the dissolution the contents of the property was sold and on 19 January 1541 "A rather large sum of money was realised from the sale of the chattels of the friary—£34.8s,7d compared to the Blackfriars' sale, £24.13s.8d. By 1541 one bell remained unsold". It was said to be "So near to the walls and Reginald's Tower was the friary that it was said that it was very necessary for the strength, defence and convenience of the city". The friary was suppressed by the dissolution of the monasteries of April 1541 by Henry VIII, but the friars were allowed to remain in the city. Henry VIII granted a charter in 1544 to convert part of the building into a hospital/almshouse. In the seventeenth century, the choir of the church was adapted by Bishop Nathaniel Foy for use by Huguenots who had been invited to Waterford to work in the linen industry. This led to the name "French Church". Among the graves in the graveyard are those of: Sir Hugh Purcell (in about 1250), who was the founder of the church and lies beside of the high altar; Lord Richard Poer (8 August 1607), Baron of Curraghmore, an ardent supporter of the Catholic faith and that of his wife, Catherine de Barry, daughter of the Great Barry, Viscount of Buttivant; Sir Nicholas Walsh (12 April 1615), one of the chief judges of the kingdom in the Court of Common Pleas. Another notable buried on 3 April 1635 was Nicholas Power, Lord of Kilmeaden. Also buried there is John Roberts (1712/14–1796), architect.

• 1809

  Bell frame remained on site until this year.

• 1544

  Henry VIII granted a charter to convert part of the building into a hospital/almshouse.

• 1541

  Friary suppressed by Henry VIII; contents sold, including bells.

• Franciscan friary founded by Sir Hugh Purcell in Waterford.

• Richard II lodged in the church while planning his assault on the Irish clans in the Wicklow Mountains.

• Four Irish clan chiefs surrendered to Richard II at the church.

1. 1French Church - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2French Church, Waterford - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org