Module 3: The Dissolution, survival and destruction : the fate of the monastic houses 1540-1740
Dr Rachel Moss (PI), Dr Keith Smith (RA) and Dr Miriam Clyne (PD) are working on this module.
For the urban component of this module Galway, Waterford, Drogheda and Kilkenny have been identified as the key areas for study. Desk-based research on these areas has focussed on sixteenth- and seventeenth-century municipal records and leases. These are revealing specific patterns of re-use. These variously relate to the continuity of particular (non-religious) functions, such as provision for the sick and education, and to less practical functions, such as symbols of civic status, or vessels of community memory. Preliminary findings with relation to the retention of isolated monastic towers have been written up and submitted for publication. Work is now commencing on the accumulation of data to map changes of monastic land ownership in towns following the Dissolution.
The rural aspect of this module is focussed in Connacht. The old religion was more tenacious in this area, and a number of detailed inventories of the possessions of friaries are being scrutinised for the information that they yield on the patronage, and protection, of threatened communities of friars during the turbulent seventeenth century. Preliminary findings have been presented as a conference paper and are currently being written up for publication. Initial desk based- research suggested Kilconnell, Co. Galway as a potential site for geophysical survey. However, following site, Moyne friary, Co. Mayo has presented itself as a having greater potential to yield good results for both Modules 2 and 3, in terms of the manner in which buildings were adapted and evolved between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. This will provide a particularly good comparison with the study of Kilcrea, one of the focus areas for module 2.