To conclude the Catholic warden of Galway (who has been sometimes described by the term quasi episcopus) is a prelate chosen triennially by the laypatrons of the town, who exercises episcopal jurisdiction over an extensive district and population in the capital of the province, but subject to the triennial visitation of the metropolitan of Tuam, who is generally obliged, however, to conclude the business of visitation within a limited time. His institution by the chapter or vicars confers on him all the necessary faculties in ordinary for this jurisdiction of course, what the confirmation of the holy see confers on a bishop elect, or nearly so, is conferred on him by such institution. He possesses a visitatorial power over all religious foundations within the limits of the wardenship; has privilege of sending two students to the Royal College of St. Patrick, Maynooth; is intitled to a chair and vote in synod, with mitre, crozier and pontificals, as other prelates: but he cannot administer the sacrament of confirmation, confer orders, or consecrate the sacred unction. A vicar of the collegiate church (who is also elected by the lay-patrons, but for life,) is of different signification from what is commonly understood by that name, the vicarage being, in fact, a canonry or prebend in a collegiate chapter. The reverend gentlemen at present composing this venerable body are inferior to none in the kingdom for piety, learning, and zeal in the arduous discharge of their sacred duties.

Franciscan Friary.

THE power of the De Burgos having been firmly established in Connaught, about the close of the thirteenth century, by the favorable issue of their long and sanguinary contests with the native Irish, Galway became (as there had been before occasion to mention) the chief residence of this powerful family, and, consequently, the principal object of its protection and improvement. In 1996, Sir William de Burgh, surnamed Liagh, or the grey, founded this monastery for Franciscan friars, outside the north gate of the town, as particularly detailed

be liable to persecution for daring to avow the principles of his religion. The following account of this transaction is abstracted from the public prints of the day :-"On the 1st of July, 1816, the first stone was laid in the foundation of a new parish chapel, on the site where the old one stood, in Middle-street, in this town. About one o'clock, the popular Roman Catholic warden (the very reverend doctor Firench) and the other Catholic clergy of the town, attired in their sacerdotal habits, assembled at the old county court-house, which is now temporarily converted into a parish chapel. They were there met by Hyacinth Daly, esq. our respected mayor, attended by the sheriffs and other magistrates and officers of the corporation, clothed in their official costume, and bearing the insignia of their municipal character, together with a great concourse, comprising almost the entire body of the respectable gentry of Galway. This collected

assemblage moved from the court-house in regular procession, preceded by a band of music, through High-street, Shop-street and Abbey-gate-street, to where the new chapel is to stand. There the usual form was gone through of laying the first stone, which was deposited by the mayor, in front of whose house the populace lighted, in the evening, an amazingly large bonfire."

This extensive structure not being yet (1820) entirely finished, the author regrets that he cannot include a description of it in this work. The style of architecture, however, which is that of the ornamented Gothic, reflects much credit on the ingenuity and taste of the builder, Mr. Cusack; and the entire edifice, when completed, will prove a considerable ornament to the town, and be one of the most spacious and elegant Catholic chapels in the kingdom.

in the obituary of the friary, and the dedication took place on the 16th of May. The founder died 12th Feb. 1324, and was here interred. Several other particulars, concerning this monastery, for the two centuries succeeding this period, were collected, from various sources, by Allemande, Archdall, and others, which are here subjoined." In addition to these, the following have been gleaned for this work:

1538, John French, who was mayor this year, erected the great chapel on the south side of the abbey, and also the stone building which stood on arches over the river, to the west of the pinnacle, afterwards called "John French's Chamber."

1570, March 9th, Queen Elizabeth granted part of the possessions of this monastery (then lately dissolved,') to the corporation, and their successors, which grant was renewed on 1st September, 1578, for forty years.

1603, February 11th, James I. granted the entire possessions of this house to Sir George Carew, his heirs and assigns for ever.

1611, Valentine Blake Fitz-Walter Fitz-Thomas, who was mayor this year, built the chapel on the south side of the choir, wherein he and his family were interred. This chapel was afterwards converted into a sacristy.

1626, April 16th, died Murrough na more O'Flaherty, of Bunowen castle, and, by his directions in his last will, was interred amongst his ancestors in this abbey. 1642, Richard Martin, of Dungorie, who was this year mayor of the town,. bestowed 800l. to build two chapels, one in this abbey, and the other in the church of St. Nicholas.

War. MS. Vol. Lodge, Vol. 2, Appendix; but, according to the annals of the town, this friary was founded in 1280. The obituary above alluded to is supposed to be lost. In the Clarendon MS. 46, f. 41, there were preserved extracts "Ex necrologia conventûs fratrúm minorum Galvie," which, if still existing, are thought to be the only remains (with what little has been here collected) of that ancient registry.

1381, in this year pope Urban empowered the guardian of this friary to excommunicate every person within the province of Connaught who should adhere to the anti-pope, Clement VII.-Allemande.-1460, Jan. 26th, died William, son of Meyler the great, who bequeathed to this convent half a mare yearly, to be paid on the feast of St. Brigid.-Lib. Obit. King, p. 312.1494, the friars of this house obtained a license from pope Alexander VI. to annex to the friary the Chapel of our Lady, then adjoining one of the gates of the town.Allemande.-1494, April 20th, died Edward Philibyn, who built the dormitory of this monastery.-Ware MS. Vol. 54.-1502, March 13th, died Thady Walter de Burgh, head of his sept.--King, p. 312.-1503, Sept. 30th, died Walter de Burgh, the son of John.-Id. 1509, July 7th, died Rickard Walter de Burgh.-Id.1513, Feb. 23d, Edmund de Burgh, the son of Rickard, and head of his sept, was treacherously murdered by his nephews.—Id.—In the month of May this year, Maurice

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de Portu, alias O'Fehealy, archbishop of Tuam, was interred in this friary, on the south side of the choir. The humble monument under which he lies is yet shewn here. Id. and Lib. Obit.-1520, William de Burgh granted to this house the fishery of the river of Galway.-King, p. 312.-1521, Sept. 29th, died the lord Edmund de Burgh, son of William, and grandson of Edmund. The friars of this house received great emoluments by his funeral obsequies.-Lib. Obit.-1523, March 25th, died Andrew Lynche Fitz-Stephen, who bequeathed a perpetual anniversary to this monastery.-Id.-1534, Oct. 27th, died Ulick Burgh, the son of Edmund, and grandson of Rickard.-Id.-1556, April 28th, died Thomas O'Mullaghy, archbishop of Tuam. He was interred in the same sepulchre with his predecessor, Maurice.-King, p. 312, and Ware Bps.--Provincial chapters of the Franciscan order were held in the years 1470, 1522 and 1562.-Vide Monast. Hib. p. 286-7.

Viz.: twelve gardens, containing three acres; two parts of a water-mill, upon the river; the ninth part of the tithes of two acres of land, commonly called Gortcalle, near the town; a salmon every Wednesday out of the great weare, and three every Saturday out of the high weare, and one every Saturday out of the hawl-net; and as many eels as should be taken one day in every week out of the twenty eel-weares on the river.-Rot

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1643, June 25th, (Sunday,) mass was solemnly sung in this abbey for the first time since its suppression; after which a sermon was preached by father Valentine Browne, guardian. Several improvements were then made in the abbey, and, amongst others, the tomb of the founder was repaired and beautified. 1652, The friars of this house were banished, and the monuments and ornamental works of the abbey were defaced by Cromwell's soldiery. The superb marble tomb of Sir Peter French, knt. which was richly gilt and adorned with sculptures, was entirely destroyed; part of the polished marble was converted by governor Stubbers into chimney-pieces, and the remainder sent to England, and disposed of at a considerable price."

1657, All the buildings of the abbey demolished, except the church, in which the courts of justice were held.

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1685, Disputes arose between the warden and vicars of St. Nicholas's church and the friars of this abbey, concerning the right of precedency to attend at funerals, and the emoluments thence arising, which being brought before the congregation of the cardinal's interpreters of the council of Trent, they, on the 15th of Nov. this year, determined that "the right belonged to the parish priest." 1689, The friars took possession of the church, in which they made several repairs and improvements, but were soon after dispossessed.

1698, The several members of this and the other religious orders of the town were banished; but they afterwards gradually ventured to return, and for many

spectator to form an idea of the magnificence of this once stately mausoleum.

The warden and vicars contended for the right, not only when the deceased was to be interred in the parish church, but also in any monastery or burial-place belonging to the friars; the others, on the contrary, maintained that, in the latter case, they alone were entitled. The point, however, was decided as above.

Of the friars of this convent the three following are particularly mentioned by Harris:-1. Stephen Lynch, or Stephanus a Galvia, of the college of Rome. He wrote Promptuarium Scotisticum, which being left unfinished, one Varesio, an Italian, of the convent of St. Francis De Ripa, at Rome, completed and published it, in two tomes, Romae, folio.-2. Francis Bermingham, or Franciscus a Galvia. He taught philosophy at Milan, from whence he went to Rome, and was jubilate lecturer of 1689, August 1st, common council, "The Capucins divinity of the college of St. Isidore, and definito petition being read for their reception into this town, it general of his order. He wrote and published a book, is ordered, that they be received into, admitted and estab entitled De Sanctissima Trinitate, Romae, folio. He was lished within this town of Galway, in as full and ample living about the year 1689.-3. Francis Burke died in manner as their predecessors have been formerly estabItaly in 1697. He wrote Directorium Concionatorium, lished."-Corp. Book C.-The friars were scarcely reinPragae, 1690, in two vols. 8vo. stated, when the most violent contentions again broke out between them and the warden concerning the right to

* Part of the under-works of this monument were dug up about the year 1779, and, by order of father Anthony Carroll, a pious and learned Franciscan, were placed in the wall of the sacristy, and near the lower entrance to the chapel. In the latter are sculptured figures of saint Patrick and saint Nicholas, the patron of the town, with the family arms of Browne and crest of French, beneath which are engraved the names "Peter French" and "Mary Browne." The other parts exhibit the Crucifixion, but the cross and body defaced; the two Marys, the twelve Apostles, saint Clara, saint Anthony of Padua, saint Francis of Assisium, and others. These remains are much injured by time; but, even still, may enable the

mortuary money," which proceeded so far, that the corporation was at length obliged to interfere to compose their differences. It is with pleasure we are enabled to state, that no similar occurrence has ever since taken place, though it is asserted that the right to this miserable tax on mortality still remains undecided.

In 1690, the friars supplied lime and other materials for building the fortifications round Barachalla.-Corp. Book.-In the same year Allemande describes the church of this monastery as "a very large and noble structure, then almost entire, and serving for a court of judicature.'

years suffered the most severe persecutions, having been frequently imprisoned, tried, transported, and often in danger of their lives.

1724, The abbey chapel was repaired, and mass publicly celebrated, which gave great offence to the heads of the corporation. The friars, four in number, were arrested by order of the mayor, and tried on capital indictments at the ensuing assizes, but were severally acquitted.

1731, The town-sheriffs searched the friary, and the mayor, in his return to the house of lords, stated, that in it "there is a large chapel, with an altar, laid out and adorned with pictures; in which said reputed friary there are fifteen chambers and nine beds, wherein they (the sheriffs) supposed the friars belonging to the said friary usually lay; but could not find or discover any of them. It is an old friary; but the chapel enlarged and repaired about the year 1723 or 1724." 1779, June, the tomb of the founder, Sir William de Burgh, was discovered, upwards of four feet under ground, with his family arms and a long broad sword elegantly carved thereon. The following inscription appears, in raised letters, round the margin :-"Memoriae G°. Jllmo°. Dno Gull De Burgo suae nationis Principi et hujus monasterii Fundatori qui obiit 1324Posuit F. U. B. G. 1645." h

1781, The chapel was rebuilt, before which it was a small thatched edifice, both narrow and inconvenient. Though at present its external appearance is plain, it presents within a spacious, convenient and handsome place of worship, 120 feet long and 30 feet broad, and is capable of accommodating upwards of two thousand people. The altar-piece represents the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin; on one side of it there are two paintings, one of St. Joseph and the infant Jesus, and the other of St. Bonaventure; on the opposite side a St. Peter de Alcantara and an Ecce Homo. There are two side altars, on which mass is occasionally celebrated: over that on the right, from the lower entrance, the altar-piece is a St. Anthony of Padua, and over that on the left a good painting of St. Francis, the founder of the order. The devotion called the stations of the Holy Cross, which is confined solely to the Franciscans, is observed here. The friars reside in a large commodious house, contiguous to the chapel; they occasionally preach, and daily celebrate the divine mysteries; and the accommodation and convenience of the public are attended to on all occasions.

The cemetery attached to this house is extensive, and contains the burialplaces of some of the most considerable families in the province. The monuments are much more ancient than numerous, and the inscriptions generally

It was before noticed that this tomb was repaired and beautified in 1645. The letters F. V. B. G. which conclude the above inscription, are the initials of the words Father Valentine Browne, Guardian of the monastery.

Part of an arch and some other remains of this venerable monument are still to be seen, at the lower entrance to the chapel.-Vide the miscellaneous plate.

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contain little more than the names and obits of the deceased: a few will be found selected underneath, which are interesting only for their antiquity, and the respectable individuals whom they commemorate.

The little that remains to be said of this foundation will equally apply to the other convents, of which the separate accounts which follow have been collected. The Franciscans are governed by a guardian, and the Dominicans and Augustinians by priors, who are all triennially chosen. The dwelling-houses in which they reside are commodious, and conveniently situated near their respective chapels. They are principally supported by the interest arising from charitable donations; and they resort to the neighbouring districts, at certain seasons of the year, whence they return with supplies of sheep, grain, potatoes, and other articles of consumption: they also partake of the several sorts of fish taken in the bay, which the fishermen cheerfully and liberally share with them, (but particularly with the Dominicans, who reside immediately near the sea,) under a firm belief that their prayers render the watery element more abundant. Other minor sources, of support are chaplaincies, daily masses, occasional highmasses chaunted for the dead, voluntary offerings, mortuary money, remembrance masses, chapel rent, collected annually, and candle money, half yearly. All which, with other trifling contingencies, enable them to live as becomes their sacred character, and, if a judgment can be formed from external appearances, leave them very little reason to regret the forfeited estates and other extensive privileges of their more opulent predecessors.

All those acquainted with the history of the middle ages, or of the times immediately preceding the sixteenth century, must be aware that the state of

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On Darcy's vault, in the same corner: Epitaphium D. Jacobi Darcy Majoris, Conaciae praefidis, Galviae praetoris, &c. Dui obiit an' Dni' 1603. Hic amor Heroum, Decus Urbis, norma Senatus, ensa peregrini, pauperis arca jacet.

This tomb was repaired by the descendants of James Darcy in the year of our Lord 1728. Pray for the dead.

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The centre of the yard, to which the chancel of the old church extended, is the place of interment of the friars of the order and also of the nuns of St.Clare, of the Franciscan observance. There are several monuments with raised, full-length effigies of some of the friars, dressed in their habits, and of the nuns, in their costume. The former bear a chalice in their hands, their shoes are high-heeled, and they wear the cap of their order; the inscriptions are generally in raised letters, round the margin. On one of these the following is just legible:

D Lord have mercy on the Soule of Father Thomae 'aeony, who dyed the 28 of September, Anno Domini [ ]

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On another:

Drate pro anima Chomae French facerdotis qui obiit Wicefimo Detavo Detobrif 1629. F. R.