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| SLIGO ABBEY, CO. SLIGO. -We have made some mention of this abbey, in giving a distant view of it, in another sketch. The above picture, however, gives a nearer prospect and is, therefore more imposing. Like so many of the Norman ecclesiastical establishments in Ireland, previous to the Reformation, it owes its origin to the Geraldines, having been erected by Maurice Fitzgerald, Lord Justice of Ireland, about the middle of the 13th century. Some antiquries fix the date in A.D. 1253. The abbey was dedicated to the Holy Cross, and, with land for gardens and a cemetery, was presented by the founder to the Dominican Friars. What remain of the ruins are fairly preserved, particularly the cloister quadrangle, three sides of which are almost perfect, and the square Norman tower, so characteristic of the ecclesiastical architecture of the Middle Ages. The tower, supported by a beautiful arch, springs from the junction of the nave and chancel. Antiquarians believe that this portion of the abbey, and the fine east window, belonged to the original structure. It was damaged by an accidental fire in 1416, but was restored out of money raised by popular subscription, under the auspices of the Pope. In 1642, it was wantonly subjected to the torch by Sir Frederick Hamilton, a Parliamentary general. |
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