BOYLE ABBEY

Map Reference: G802026

Boyle Abbey is one of the best preserved Cistercian abbey ruins. The large cruciform church has north and south aisles and two east chapels in each of the transepts. The outer wall of the north aisle is now gone and the aisle arcade is now blocked. The arches of the north arcade are pointed and those of the south arcade are round. The pillars at the east end of the north arcade have corner pilasters and those opposite them in the south arcade are round. The pillars at the west end of the nave are square with pilasters on the inside. The north and south arcades are similar in this area. The capitals of all the pilasters are richly decorated with plant and animal motifs. The bases of the round pillars have some decoration. The church has a large square tower and a triple lancet east window. There are some carved masks on the outside of the tower. The site of the cloister garth to the south of the church is clear but there are no remains of the cloister arcade. Two elaborate doorways lead from the east range into the cloister garth. A small two storey building has been reconstructed in the west range. This serves as a gateway and visitors' centre. At the southwest corner of the abbey is a small round flanking tower. This is thought to be the stump of a Round Tower.

BOYLE MARKET HOUSE

Boyle has a three-bay two-storey market house with two single-storey flat-roofed one-bay extensions.

ROSCOMMON CASTLE

Map Reference: M873650

Roscommon Castle is an example of a large keepless castle with D-shaped towers at the corners. There is a large rectangular gatehouse in the west wall. The remains of the main gatehouse are in the middle of the east wall. This building was three storeys high plus basement and had two D-shaped towers. The gap between the towers was only about 3m. There are many mullioned windows and some otf the corner towers also have large windows. The castle was built by Robert de Ufford, Lord Justice of Ireland, in 1269.

ROSCOMMON DOMINICAN FRIARY

Map Reference: M873639

Roscommon Friary was founded for the Dominicans by Felim O Conor, Lord of Roscommon, in 1253. It has a pointed west doorway with fragments of a large traceried window above it. This is a 15th century insertion, replacing several lancets. The church had a north aisle of four bays but only stumps of the aisle arcade remain. There is a short north transept. There are lancet windows in the south wall of the nave and beneath them are several plain tomb niches. The main point of interest of the friary is the effigy tomb in the north wall of the chancel. This shows a lying figure in a long robe with his feet on a dog. There are two panels showing eight weepers. These are soldiers wearing pointed helmets and long chain-mail coats. Seven of them carry swords and the other has an axe. The effigy is of Felim O Conor and dates to the end of the 13th century. The rest of the tomb is of 15th century date.

ROSCOMMON MARKET HOUSE

Roscommon Market House seems to have been originally a six-bay two-storey rectangular building. There is a two-storey padimented addition at the front and back, blocking the two central bays. The front addition has a tower and a cupola.