Great Connell Priory
Prióireacht Chonnail Mhór | |
Augustinian Canons Regular | |
Established | 1202 |
---|---|
Disestablished | 1540 |
Diocese | Kildare |
People | |
Founder(s) | Meiler Fitzhenry |
Architecture | |
Status | ruined |
Style | Norman |
Site | |
Location | Great Connell, Newbridge, County Kildare |
Coordinates | 53°10′20.88646″N 6°46′32.14294″W / 53.1724684611°N 6.7755952611°W |
Public access | yes |
Great Connell Priory (
The priory was founded in 1202 as a dependency of
Great Connell became one of the principal
The most powerful prior of Great Connell was Walter Wellesley, who was appointed before 1520, and who remained prior even after he became Bishop of Kildare in 1529.[4] He had considerable influence with Henry VIII, and at the suppression of the religious houses, he used all his influence to save Great Connell. He was successful in the short term, but his death in 1539 left the priory without an influential protector. The priory was suppressed c. 1540 with the consent of the last prior Robert Wellesley, and the property was granted first to Edward Randolfe, then to Sir Nicholas White in 1560, and to Sir Edmond Butler in 1566.[1]
Much of the original masonry was removed from the priory and used in the construction of the British Cavalry Barracks in Newbridge in the early 19th century. At that time the top of the tomb of Walter Wellesley and some other fragments were discovered and built into the wall of the cemetery at the site.[5] The tomb of Walter Wellesley was moved in 1971 to Kildare Cathedral and reconstructed by the County Kildare Archaeological Society with financial support by Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington.[5][6]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-582-11229-X.
- ^ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926
- ^ a b Patent Roll 20 Henry VI
- ^ Ball, F. Elrington: The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921.
- ^ a b Information displayed on top of the tomb in Kildare Cathedral.
- ^ "Great Connell Graveyard". County Kildare Archaeological Society. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kildare)