Description
Situated at the mouth of the Bay are the ruins of an ancient Franciscan monastery founded in 1474 by the first Red Hugh O'Donnell and his wife Nuala O'Brien. They and their son were laid to rest there; however the exact site of the graves is no longer known. In the course of its tragic history the Friary was besieged many times and in 1601 was partially destroyed by an explosion while occupied by the English who were under the command of the second Red Hugh's own cousin Niall Garbh O'Donnell III.
The Abbey as it is now known was the site of the creation of one of Ireland's most famous and invaluable historical accounts the 'Annals of the Four Masters'. Two volumes of the 19th century English translation by John O'Donovan are on display at the Franciscan Friary at Rossnowlagh.