The Grey Abbey, Kildare

The Grey Abbey was a Franciscan monastery established in 1260 by William de Vesci to serve the mendicant order. The construction was completed by Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Offaly, who died in 1286 and received burial within the abbey itself. The designation 'Grey Abbey' referred to the grey habits worn by the Franciscan friars who occupied the site. The abbey flourished throughout the medieva...