Ireland’s Franciscans have closed two of their oldest friaries in Ireland, each founded in the 13th century. Due to ageing membership and a lack of vocations, friaries at Athlone, Co Westmeath, and Clonmel, Co Tipperary, marked their departures from both towns last Sunday with Masses of thanksgiving.

The move follows an announcement by the Dominicans last September of the closure of their friary on Bridge St in Waterford city, where it has had a presence for 796 years, since 1226.

On September 5th last year Fr Aidan McGrath OFM, described as a “sad and difficult decision for us” to withdraw from Clonmel where there had been a Franciscan friary since 1269.

On October 17th Fr McGrath told friars and staff in Athlone that “regretfully we must now face our present day reality and leave a town where we have enjoyed and valued such support and friendship for close to 800 years.”

As with the friary buildings in Clonmel, he said, “we have not made a final decision on the future of the Athlone Friary and Church at this time, however, we will be exploring various possibilities in this regard in the coming months. When we have reached a decision on the future use of the buildings, I will make a further announcement.”