06. An Eaglais Phrióireachta

An Eaglais Phrióireachta

Bhíodh Prióireacht i mBaile Átha an Rí i rith ré na meánaoiseanna. Cineál séipéil de chuid na linne sin atá i gceist le Prióireacht. Meiler de Bermingham a d’íoc an chuid is mó den chostas a bhain lena chur suas. Tosaíodh ar an Eaglais Phrióireachta, a thiomnaítear do N. Peadar agus N. Pól, a thógáil sa bhliain 1241 agus caitheadh tuairim is 20 bliain leis an obair.

Níor theastaigh ón mBanríon Eilís a hAon go dtógfaí an séipéal Prióireachta, ach thug sí cead sa deireadh. Tá uaigheanna ar gach taobh den séipéal agus síltear go bhfuil Meiler de Bermingham féin curtha istigh sa séipéal.

Mná Rialta agus Manaigh is mó a rith an Séipéal Prióireachta agus sa bhliain 1342 thug na Búrcaigh 100 marc, cothrom le 66 euro, le tosach an tséipéil a nochtadh; ach tharla an tubaiste sa bhliain 1627 nuair a scrios saighdiúirí an áit.

Tá an chuid is mó de bhallaí na Prióireachta ina seasamh go fóill agus amharc orthu as áiteanna éagsúla i mBaile Átha an Rí. Is féidir an Séipéal Prióireachta i mBaile Átha an Rí a bhreathnú agus bíonn turais cuairte ar siúl i rith an deireadh seachtaine. Is féidir le duine dul isteach agus na huaigheanna a fheiceáil.

Is breá an t-iarsma staire an Séipéal Prióireachta i mBaile Átha an Rí atá ina léiriú ar an saol a bhíodh ann le linn ré na meánaoiseanna agus ar an gcaoi a ndéantaí foirgnimh a thógáil ag an am. Bhíodh barra á gcur ag na Mná Rialta agus ag na Manaigh agus oideachas á chur acu ar fhir agus ar mhná Bhaile Átha an Rí. Théadh daoine ag an Séipéal Prióireachta le guí a dhéanamh.

The Priory

Medieval Athenry had a Priory. A Priory is a medieval church. Meiler de Bermingham paid most of the money for it to be built. They began building the Priory which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul in 1241 and took roughly about 20 years to build.

Elizabeth the First did not want the Priory to be built, but finally she approved. All around the Priory are graves, Meiler de Bermingham is believed to be buried inside the Priory.

Nuns and Monks mainly ran the Priory, then in 1342 the Burkes gave 100 marks, which is 66 euro to reveal the front of the Priory; but disaster hit in 1627, soldiers destroyed it.

Most of the Priory is still standing and can be seen from many areas of Athenry. The Priory in Athenry is fit for viewing and tours commence during the weekends and you can go inside to see the tombs.

Athenry Priory is an excellent piece of history and shows how medieval times were and how medieval buildings were constructed. Nuns and Monks grew crops and educated the men and women of Athenry. People went to the Priory to pray.