Recent Antiquarian Explorations. 29 



it is spanned by a very antique bridge. Abbeys are usually 

 situate beside a stream, which served the double purpose of 

 supplying fish and driving the mill wheel, as the monks very 

 frequently ground the grain for the people at a time that querns 

 were principally used for that purpose. 



After we had fully explored the ruins of the castle and abbey 

 and listened to a paper which was read by one of the members 

 on the history of the place, we proceeded to Adare. It is a 

 most beautiful and picturesque village, situate close to the 

 residence and demesne of Lord Dunraven. Gerald Griffin 

 writes of Adare — 



" Oh, sweet Adare, oh, lovely vale, 



Oh, soft retreat of sylvan splendour j 

 Nor summer's sun, nor morning gale, 

 E'er hailed a scene more softly tender." 



There are remains of three abbeys at Adare, two in the village 

 — viz., the Trinitarian and Augustinian — and another within 

 the grounds of Lord Dunraven — viz., the Franciscan, one of 

 the finest in Ireland. The late Lord Dunraven restored the 

 churches of the two abbeys in the village, and they are now 

 used for worship, the Trinitarian by the Roman Catholics, and 

 the Augustinian by the Protestants. The remains of the 

 Franciscan Abbey are most complete, owing to the care 

 bestowed on it by his Lordship. The walls are all in a fair 

 state of repair, only wanting a roof to make them almost 

 habitable again. Very few small towns in Ireland could boast 

 of three abbeys, but under the fostering care of the Kildare 

 branch of the Geraldines these three abbeys were once renowned 

 and flourishing institutions. The Trinitarian order was 

 introduced into Ireland in the year 1230. Their mission was 

 the redemption of captives. It is recorded that they rescued 

 6,300 persons from slavery, principally Christians captured by 

 the Turks. For this purpose ladies gave their jewels and 

 noblemen their plate to pay the ransom. The Franciscan 

 Abbey, situated on the banks of the silvery Maigne, was founded 

 by Thomas, seventh Earl of Kildare, and Joanna, his wife, 



