Clane Friary

Clane Friary is located immediately southeast of Clane village, to the north of King Mesgegra's Mound and the River Liffey.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVoNAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Clane+Abbey%22&pg=PA382|title=Leigh's New Pocket Road-book of Ireland: Containing an Account of All the Direct and Cross Roads, Together with a Description of Every Remarkable Place ...|date=3 December 2018|publisher=Leigh|via=Google Books}}

File:Clane Abbey 2.jpg

Clane (believed to derive from Claon-áth, "crooked ford") is an early Gaelic monastery. It was traditionally founded by Saint Ailbe of Emly c. AD 520 (or later in AD 548),{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HXQHAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Clane%22&pg=PA711|title=Guide through Ireland|first=James Fraser (of|last=Dublin.)|date=3 December 2018|via=Google Books}} and had Secundinus (Sechnall, Seachnall) as its second abbot.{{cite web|url=http://www.kildare.ie/heritage/historic-sites/clane-abbey.asp|title=Clane Abbey, Co. Kildare, Ireland|website=www.kildare.ie}} It took part in the missionary work of the 6th and 7th centuries. Clane was sacked and plundered by Vikings in 1035.

It continued until after the 1111 Synod of Rathbreasail. It hosted the Synod of Clane in 1162, convened by Gelasius of Armagh (Gilla Meic Liac mac Diarmata) and attended by Lorcán Ua Tuathail{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DjZfAAAAcAAJ&q=%22Synod+of+Clane%22&pg=PA97|title=The Blessed Cornelius; Or, Some Tidings of an Archbishop of Armagh who Went to Rome in the 12th Century, and Did Not Return [here Identified with Saint Concord]. Prefaced by a Brief Narrative of a Visit to Rome, Etc., in 1854|first1=Joseph DIXON (R C. Archbishop of|last1=Armagh.)|first2=Conor MACCONCOILLE (Archbishop of|last2=Armagh.)|date=3 December 2018|via=Google Books}} and 25 other bishops.{{cite web|url=https://www.bordnamonalivinghistory.ie/article-detail/the-great-day-on-the-bog-la-na-mona/|title=The Great Day on the Bog – La na Móna - Living History}}{{cite web|url=http://www.clanefestival.ie/clane/short-historical-note-on-clane/|title=Short Historical Note On Clane - Clane Festival|website=www.clanefestival.ie}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_OABAAAAcAAJ&q=%22Synod+of+Clane%22&pg=PA195|title=A History of the Ancient Church in Ireland|first=William Gouan|last=Todd|date=3 December 2018|publisher=J. Burns|via=Google Books}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=030BAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Synod+of+Clane%22&pg=PA424|title=An ecclesiastical history of Ireland, from the introduction of Christianity to the commencement of the thirteenth century|first=Patrick Joseph Carew (bp of|last=Bengal.)|date=3 December 2018|publisher=John Coyne|via=Google Books}} It established that no-one could become a lector unless he had been educated at Armagh.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FiPeYSgJTzEC&q=%22Synod+of+Clane%22&pg=PR5|title=Ireland, 1101-1690|first=Gerald Lewis|last=Bray|date=3 December 2018|publisher=Boydell & Brewer Ltd|isbn=9781843832324|via=Google Books}}

In 1258/60 Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, son of Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly, established a house of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual at Clane. He was buried at the monastery in 1259; a fragment of his effigy remains.

It hosted a chapter of the Franciscans in 1345. Clane fell into disrepair around the time of the Black Death (1348–50). Some new parts were added towards the end of the 14th century.{{cite web|url=http://irelandinruins.blogspot.com/2012/03/clane-abbey-co-kildare.html|title=Ireland In Ruins: Clane Abbey Co Kildare|last=Castlehunter|date=6 March 2012}}

The Hogans and Wesleys were often associated with the abbey as priors and monks.

It was dissolved in 1540. It seems to have been quite small: {{Convert|70|acre|abbr=on}} of land, a church, cemetery, dormitory (probably to the north of the church), store, kitchen, two chambers, stable and orchard. It was granted to Robert Eustace, Roger Roche, and Edward Browne in 1541–42 for the use of Sir Thomas Luttrell. Some of the buildings were destroyed and the stone used to repair Maynooth Castle.{{cite web| url = http://www.megalithicireland.com/Clane%20Abbey,%20Kildare.html| title = Clane Abbey, Kildare}} {{cite web|url=http://www.claneparish.com/2013/06/the-story-of-st-ailbhe/|title=The Story of St Ailbe. Parish of Clane & Rathcoffey, Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin|website=www.claneparish.com}}

Some friars remained until the buildings were destroyed c. 1606. A few friars remained clandestinely and Clane Friary was restored again in 1647 before final abandonment in 1650. Bonaventure Mellaghlin was transferred to Clane as guardian{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6SwR_7jA_3cC&q=%22Clane%22&pg=PA79|title=The Irish Franciscans, 1651-1665|first=B.|last=Millet|date=3 December 1964|publisher=Gregorian Biblical BookShop|isbn=9788876521027|via=Google Books}} Franciscans still return each year to celebrate Mass on the feast of the Portiuncula.{{cite web|url=http://clanecommunity.ie/heritage/clane-friary/|title=Friary and Abbey Cemetery - ClaneCommunity.ie|website=clanecommunity.ie}}

A nave and chancel church, {{Convert|43|m|abbr=on}} east-west and {{Convert|8|m|abbr=on}} north-south, with a south aisle added in the 15th century. There is some moulding and sedilia, as well as an effigy of founder Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald.

File:Clane Friary arch.jpg

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• {{Youtube|0OgWK_yZGmI|Clane Friary, Co. Kildare, Ireland}}

Category:Religion in County Kildare

Category:Franciscan monasteries in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Archaeological sites in County Kildare

Category:Christian monasteries established in the 6th century