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The abbey of St. Francis was built in 1269 by Otho de Grandison and has been rebuilt on several occasions since, the last reconstruction being completed around 1884.

The friars acquired a square of land inside the town walls, an unusual privilege at that time. The original church,built in 1269 has been altered several time, and the tower, dating from the 14th century, is the only part of the whole building which still survives.

The friary was suppressed in 1540 and was badly damaged during Cromwell's attack on Clonmelin 1650. in 1750, the chancel was repaired for use as a Dissenter's chapel and remained as such until 1789, when the friars once again took possession.

The Friary was reopened in 1828 and rebuilt fully in 1883.

The most significant recent addition was the shrine of St. Anthony, which opened in 1959 and the stained glass windows which were put in 1960. The tomb of the Lords of Cahir is contained within the friary.The tomb could be considered the one constant element in the history of the church as it survived the dissolution of the monasteries, the passage of the Cromwellians and the Williamites and the entire penal law period.

info from: www.visitclonmel.com