The Black Friary

The Black Friary (Irish: An Mhainistir Dhubh) was a Dominican friary located in Trim, County Meath, Ireland.

History

The friary was founded by the Lord of Trim, Geoffrey de Geneville in 1263, just outside the town walls of Trim. Geoffrey de Geneville retired to the friary and was buried there in 1314. The friary was an important part of the town of Trim as it held extensive lands and ecclesiastical and governmental meetings were held there from the 13th to the 15th century.

By 1540, as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the commissioners of King Henry VIII suppressed the friary and sold its lands, buildings and goods. During the 18th century the buildings were further sold and quarried for stone.

Archaeology

The Irish Archaeology Field School has been excavating the remains of the Black Friary. Since 2010 annual excavations undertaken by Irish and international students of the Irish Archaeology Field School have helped to reveal the architecture of the friary along with uncovering burials from inside and outside the church. Courses in Bioarchaeology and Osteoarchaeology on site form part of the research programme for the Blackfriary cemetery.

The Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project

The excavations undertaken by the Irish Archaeology Field School are run in conjunction with the Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project. The project aims to rejuvenate the four acre site where the Friary is located for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike.

See also

• Trim Castle, home of Geoffrey de Geneville
• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Meath)