Callan Augustinian Friary in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland was closed and had its lands confiscated as part of the dissolution of monasteries during the reign of Henry VII (1457-1509). The ruins of the Abbey, in what is known as the Abbey Field, are located close to the town of Callan.
In 1766 a new Augustinian Friary was founded in the town of Callan. By the year 1810 the building housing the Friary was in such poor condition that the roof collapsed. Fr John Rice, a brother of Edmund Ignatius Rice, was prior of Callan at the time. With the help of the people of Callan and the surrounding areas he raised sufficient funds to construct a new building which was completed in 1811. Callan became the only Augustinian novitiate in Ireland in 1815.
In 1841 a secondary school was opened in Callan by the Augustinians. The secondary school closed in 1872 when the new Christian Brothers School was opened in Callan. The Augustinian Friary continued its presence in Callan for another 130 years before finally closing down.
Callan Augustinian Friary, Co Kilkenny closing down ceremony, took place in the year 2002 On This Day.
Sunset behind Callan Friary by Bernie Goldbach on 2004-10-24 16:04:21