Ross Errilly Friary is a monastery ruin near the town of Headford in the west of Ireland. They are the national monument of the island and one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the country. The scenes for the films Bad Karma and Vivid purpose as well as for the series Teenage Maria Stuart were filmed here.
Most historians use 1351 for the year when the monastery was founded, although some sources say 1460. From the beginning it was inhabited by the Franciscans, who often had to defend their faith and the monastery. In 1538, they opposed King Henry VIII's decision to break relations with Rome, for which over 200 monks were imprisoned or executed. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, the monastery was confiscated several times, and then returned to the Franciscans, for a short period it also served as an English garrison.
In the 18th century, the monks left the walls for the last time, this time forever. On a now defunct islet on a nearby river (unofficially known as "Friars Island"), they built small cells and lived there for over 30 years, supported by the local community. The monastery was falling into ruin at that time.
Attractions inside
