Architecture in Limerick
The ecclesiastical remains at Adare, Co. Limerick, arc picturesque and interesting. Situated close to Adare Manor, the seat of the Earl of Dunravcn. they consist of the ruins of three monasteries : one founded for Trinitarian Friars, another for Augustinian Hermits, and the third for Franciscan Friars Observant. The Trinitarian monastery was founded in 1230 a.d. ; the present remains consist of the church, and one wall of the buildings which composed the north side of the cloister, with a large tower at the western end, and a smaller one at the eastern end. The church has a nave, chancel and north transept, and a square central tower, with an embattled roof, at the junction of the nave and chancel. The north transept was lengthened and converted into a convent schoolroom in the last century. The church was repaired, enlarged, and the chancel rebuilt in 1852. Near it is an interesting low dovecot of circular form with a conical stone roof.
The Franciscan Friary was founded in 1464 by Thomas Earl of Kildare, and his wife Joanna. It was one of the most celebrated convents in the province of Munster, and, though of moderate size, is of interest owing to the completeness of its various buildings, being a good example of the Irish monastic architecture of the fifteenth century. The remains consist of a church with a nave, square tower, and chancel, a south transept with two eastern chapels, and a western aisle. The cloister is on the north side, and the conventual buildings can be well studied, several of them being in a good state of preservation. Among the most interesting features of the church are the remains of painted mural decoration which can still be observed.
Limerick (Luimneach, a bare spot of land) : the See of Limerick (Accommodation, Limerick, Ireland) is generally considered to have been founded as early as the fifth century. The interesting cathedral was probably erected during the twelfth and the thirteenth centuries. The earliest ground plan appears to have. been in the form of a Latin Cross, but side aisles were added to the nave in the fourteenth and fifteenth century, which have obscured the original outline of the plan. An embattled square tower with four turrets stands at the west end. Limerick is unique amongst the Irish cathedrals in possessing carved wood- work of the fifteenth century ; its stalls, with carved misereres, ornamented with various grotesque devices, resemble those which have been preserved in many English cathedrals.
The Church of St Peter and St Paul at Kilmallock, Co. Limerick (Hotels, Limerick, Ireland), is interesting. It lies within the walls of the town and its chancel is used as the parish church. As well as an aisled nave, and chancel, there is a south transept, and attached to the north-east corner of the nave is a round tower about 50 ft. in height. The east window of the chancel has five lights. In the north aisle of the nave some interesting tombs are to be seen. The walls of the church were protected with battlements. Castles
The so-called Desmond Castle at Adare, Co. Limerick (Bed and Breakfasts, Limerick, Ireland), was probably erected on the site of a Norman mote. The present ruins include a portion of the keep, the hall, out-rooms, and gate-tower. The buildings show so few architectural features that it is difficult to deter- mine the dates of the various portions, but the keep may have been built in the thirteenth century. The modern mansion of the Earl of Dunravcn is an imposing structure in the Tudor style; it was built in 1850 of limestone obtained from the district.