The Dominican priory at Cloonshanville was founded by the MacDermots in 1385. It is debated whether it was established by the MacDermot Roe or by the MacDermot Gall, but it is probably founded by the latter since it stands on what it was their land.
The priory stands on the site of a previous early monastery founded by St. Comnitius, a bishop at the time of St. Patrick.
The church is now in total ruin, with only a bell tower to its full height though completely covered with ivy and other vegetation.
To the east-southeast (105°) of the bell tower there are the ruins of the church itself, with the east wall being the tallest part of the structure now used as a burial site, though the most interesting item among these ruins is the piscina in west-northwest side of a segment of wall to the west of the bell tower.
Another rectangular small building to the northwest of the bell tower is the mausoleum for the French family. A nice crucifixion dating to the 17th century, on a plaque inside the mausoleum, marks the burial place of Patrick French FitzStephen who was the first member of the French family to settle in Frenchpark.
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