The Dominican Priory in Lorrha is in ruins, but we could still appreciate the south wall of the building with its wonderful array of windows.
It was founded in 1269 century by Walter de Burgh, 2nd Baron of Connaught and 1st Earl of Ulster, and was dedicated to St. Peter martyr, an Italian preacher who was martyred in 1252 and was canonized in 1254.
The priory was burned down in the middle of the 17th century, some faint traces of smoke can still be seen under the large east window. This was the time when the army of Oliver Cromwell would raid the country, so he can be considered the responsible for the destruction of this building. According to some records, the priory was in use until the end of the 18th century.
The west gable of the building collapsed on January 9th 1939 and was rebuilt by the OPW.
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