Dominicans in Ulster

Dominican Locations in Ulster

Coleraine –It was known as the Abbey of the Bann. Although its origins are disputed it was probably founded by the Cambrian McQuillans. It was ‘voluntarily’ given up on 1st January 1543. However, by 1641 the Dominicans had again settled in Coleraine and in 1670 Oliver Plunkett recorded between four and ten friars. In 1767 there was only one Dominican in the area and the last Coleraine friar died in 1843.

Newtownards Abbey – Founded in 1244 the name of the founder is unknown but was probably an Anglo-Norman. In his memoirs from the late 1600s Oliver Plunkett mentioned five Dominicans. In the mid 1700s only three friars are recorded in the district, living in a cabin “in the townland of Burren in Kiloo”. Their chapel was first converted into a Protestant church and then a courthouse, before falling into disrepair.

Derry – Founded in 1274, probably and unusually by Donald O Donnell. The Dominican Abbeys were formally founded by Anglo-Normans. It was a poor Abbey. It existed to the north, outside the city, in what are now Abbey Street, William Street and Rosville Street. Henry VIII could not suppress the Abbey because the O’Donnells controlled the territory. However, the Derry  Dominicans were temporarily removed by an English garrison in 1576. In 1671 there were 6 friars in Derry and in 1683 there were 15 friars. In 1694, following the Williamite wars there were only 5 and they were in prison. Penal times saw the Dominicans live in mountainous and remote places. By 1793 the Dominicans had left Derry.

Carlingford Abbey –

Founded in 1304 it is included here because it is so close to Newry. An Inquisition from 1542/3 records a church, a belfry, chapter house, dormitory, kitchen, and a watermill. In 1552 the priory and waterwheel were granted to Nicholas Bagenal. The Dominicans were back in the district in 1670 when Oliver Plunkett recorded five black friars. In a dispute between the Dominicans and the Franciscans as to which order had the rights to collect alms in Armagh, Down, Dromore, Carlingford and Clogher Oliver Plunkett found in favour of the Dominicans. In 1777, the Prior of Carlingford Dominick Thomas, built a chapel in Dundalk. Enniskillen – The Friary was built at Gola, seven miles south east of the town. The Friary was built after 1660 about the time the Dominicans and the Franiscans were in dispute. That Oliver Plunkett found in favour of the Dominicans near Enniskillen would suggest there was an older settlement.

Newry: The only surviving Dominican Priory of Friars is in Newry. The first three fathers and a lay brother arrived in the town on 7th March 1871 to set up a foundation.  The first evening the founding fathers slept in a commodious house in McAllister’s terrace, Hyde Park, Newry which is now known as St.Colman’s Park.  They stayed here for three months until “The Hermitage” in Upper Chapel Street was ready.

The Fathers were responsible for St.Mary’s Chapel within two weeks of their arrival.  This chapel was affectionately known as the “Old Chapel”.  Reports at the time say that the mid-day service was attended by large numbers of people and many could not be “accommodated in the building.”

Dominican Schools in Ulster

 (By Mr. Anthony Russell)