This friary was founded in 1263 by Geoffrey de Geneville, just outside the town walls of Trim and developed as a key component of the medieval town, hosting several governmental meetings from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. The friary was dissolved by 1540 and from at least the eighteenth century was used as a quarry for building stone. Our excavations formed part of the Blackfriary Community Heritage and Archaeology Project, a joint initiative of several local partners and statutory groups. Early highlights of the project included the rehabilitation of the site, the installation of a community garden and the annual delivery of an active community calendar, which peaked at some 30 events!

References

• Mandal, S., and O’Carroll, F., 2011. A New Model for Site Preservation and Archaeological Practice. Archaeological Institute of America Site Preservation Program: Heritage, Conservation & Archaeology Series Paper.
• Mandal, S., O’Carroll, F. and Shine, D., 2015. The Black Friary, Trim. Archaeology Ireland 111, 34-38.