The Trinity Abbey was the only place we were able to see in Adare and it was definitely worth it. Situated next to the Adare Heritage Center, this is the only recorded Trinitarian monastery in Ireland. It was originally built by the Fitzgerald Clan for the Trinitarian order of monks in the early 13th century. This order of friars was founded in France, following the Holy-Land Crusades, with the main purpose of raising ransom money in order to rescue Christian captives taken by the Moors, during the crusade wars. It is believed that the Trinitarian monks who came to Adare may have come from Scotland. The monastery was suppressed and badly damaged during the reign of King Henry VIII. Repaired and enlarged in the mid 19th century, the building is, today, called the«Holy Trinity Abbey» and is used as the local Roman Catholic Church. A visit to this historical and beautiful building is highly recommended.
