24-07-2025
Future of historic Tipperary friary remains uncertain
In December last year, the Franciscan Order announced that the Friary Church in Clonmel would close due to lack of priests to sustain a weekly mass at the 13th century building.
At the July meeting of the Clonmel Borough District, independent councillor Niall Dennehy sought an update on the future of the historic building in the town.
Cllr Dennehy told the meeting that he had gotten requests from members of the community that whatever the plans for the building are, the building not be deconsecrated.
In response to Cllr Dennehy's call, the district administrator said that she was unaware of the plans for the former friary, but that she could write to the Franciscans to find out what they plan on doing with it.
Earlier this year, a local prayer group, who had been using the Friary, staged a sit-in protesting its planned closure.
The Abbey House of Prayer Group had signed a temporary agreement to be allowed to use the building in May 2023, and were supposed to hand the keys of the building back to the Franciscans on December 31, 2024, after the final mass in the church took place.
However, the group staged a months-long sit-in protesting the closure of the church by the Franciscan Order.
The group's protest was brought to an end by High Court action in February this year after the judge in the case struck out the action if the group vacated the church.
In 2023, the Franciscan Order pulled out of Clonmel after centuries in the town due to dwindling numbers and aging friars.
