Cormac Láidir Mac Cárthaigh,
Tiarna Mhúscraí, a bhunaigh an mhainistir
seo do Bheachtchoimeádaithe Riail Naomh Phroinsiais i 1465.
Kilcrea Friary was founded for the Franciscan Observants
in 1465 by
Cormac Láidir Mac Carthaigh, Lord of Muskerry.
The name Kilcrea means the Church of Cré, a woman who
founded a hermitage here before the time
of the Franciscians. The friary is a fine example of an Irish Franciscian
monastery and most of it
survives in good condition. The church features a fine, slender tower
which was used as a belfry.
Within the building are the burial places of Art Ó Laoire and Cormac
Láidir McCarthy.
