Burriscarra Medieval Ecclesiastical Complex

Abstract

This research assesses the ecclesiastical complex at Castlecarra near the shores of Lough Carra, County Mayo. On this site are located the ruins of Burriscarra friary and Burriscarra medieval parish church. As part of this study, a detailed survey of these two national monuments was undertaken and to prospect for possible new sites and archaeological features in their immediate environs. The fieldwork involved recording and interpreting the standing remains of these medieval buildings, and undertaking plans of the buildings in AutoCAD. In addition, desk research was also undertaken to contextualise the survey’s findings. The study found that the interpretation of the remains at this site was hindered by the poor state of survival of the friary buildings and especially those of the parish church. Nonetheless, the friary was found to include many features typical of the late Irish Gothic style, housed within a somewhat unusual friary layout. The parish church was of simple plan and shows evidence of subsequent alterations after the original phase of construction. Both these buildings have received little scholarly attention, a situation which this report proposes to redress.