Dunmore, is situated 15 km north east of Tuam
on the Galway, Mayo, Roscommon border. The original fort was
a stronghold of the ancient O' Connor kings, later
dispossessed by the Norman de Berminghams. They built a
stone castle beside the Sinking River here after the
conquest of 1235.The ruins of an old Augustinian church
founded by Walter Bermingham are on the eastern side of the
town. The ruins of an old Augustinian church founded by
Walter Bermingham are on the eastern side of the town.
Dunmore is noted for its large number of ringforts, circular
earthen enclosures of early farmers.
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Augustinian Friary, Dunmore
(above left)
The friary was used as a Protestant Church until relatively
recently. You can see how the building has been changed over
the year - the arches have been filled in, and the far side
of the building was plastered in more recent years.
Dunmore Castle (above
right)
St. Patrick is said to have built a monastery in Dunmore,
upon the site of which a friary for Hermits of St. Augustine
was afterwards founded by Walter de Birmingham, Lord
Athenry, in 1425. After the Reformation part of the friary
was converted into a parish church of the establishment, the
rest being levelled, now forms the market place.
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