|
| Headford
is a town steeped in History, Headford or Ath Cinn as it is known
in Irish, came about as French settlers or Normans settled down
at the head of a river in the year 1066. This developed into a large
town with over 1000 people.
|
| |
The
most historical part of Headfords history is The Friary of Ross.
The Friary of Ross in the parish of Headford was one of the largest
and best equipped of the Franciscan foundations of Ireland.
In common with other Franciscan foundations of its kind in Ireland
the Friary of Ross near Headford has been referred to as an Abbot.
Such houses do not merit the title, as the Franciscan were never
governed by an abbot. |
|
Standing on the south bank of the black river, the ruins of the
friary still present a most impressive picture. The Friary looks
massive in proportion - covering almost an acre of ground - its
gables are still pointed and features perfect in every way.
Of the importance of the Ross ruin as a typical example of a medieval
Franciscan Friary there can be little doubt, and indeed it is acclaimed
by some of the highest authorities as the best-preserved pre-Reformation
Franciscan ruin in Ireland.
|
| The
legend of Ross dates back to the great plague as Archbishop Malachy
Mac Hugh trying to deal with the disease went to a shrine and prayed.
A vision told him that if he built a monastery for the Poor Friars
the plague would stop. |
 |
