Sale marks end of an era

FOUNDED in 1268, the Franciscan Abbey at Multyfarnham had a long and somewhat bloody history, but managed to survive the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Penal Laws and the Famine, to continue into the 21st century as a school and training college.

The Franciscan community who founded ‘Multy’ built up a substantial holding of 750 acres and opened a college there in 1899 which became an agricultural training college in 1956.

Many who are still farming have passed through the hands of the friars, from all parts of the country, so there will be a sense of loss at the news that the last part of the Franciscan holding is to be auctioned off on July 19.