Many thanks to John in Galway who forwarded this article
The Augustinians in Galway
The history of the Augustinians in Galway goes back to 1508. It was in this year that the order opened a house outside the city walls. In 1602, there was a plan to fortify the city. As a result of this the friary and cemetery were levelled and a military fort was built in its place. This fort was occupied by a garrison of English soldiers. Only the church and one small ecclesiastical building were left standing, and the area became known as Forthill.
The buildings in Forthill were later demolished and the local corporation agreed to build a new church on a suitable site once peace had returned to Ireland. Unfortunately the Corporation fell through on its promise, but gave the fathers the use of the courthouse as a place of worship. In 1760 a church was built on a site in Middle Street. In 1838, the Augustinians moved from their old house in Middle Street to a new convent on St Augustine Street. The fathers began to focus on the construction of a new church on the Middle Street site and began to collect money in Ireland and abroad. The design for the new church was done by a Dublin architect B Moran.
On August 28 1859, the church was consecrated. It was a great liturgical occasion and was presided over by Bishop McEvilly. Several other Bishops were in attendence along with several many priests.
The Augustinian or Augi as it is known by many Galwegians has undergone many changes since. The most recent change has been the most dramatic, but the church still remains a very popular place of worship. There are at present 3 resident Friars. They are Fr Dick Lyng pp, Fr Des Foley prior and Fr John Whelanand Bro Noel Keane. The Augustinian is also well known for its excellent choir who sing every sunday at the 11am mass. Just recently the choir brought out their very own cd entitled "To sing is to pray twice". A visit to the city of the tribes is not complete without a visit to this beautiful church.
The history of the Augustinians in Galway goes back to 1508. It was in this year that the order opened a house outside the city walls. In 1602, there was a plan to fortify the city. As a result of this the friary and cemetery were levelled and a military fort was built in its place. This fort was occupied by a garrison of English soldiers. Only the church and one small ecclesiastical building were left standing, and the area became known as Forthill.
The buildings in Forthill were later demolished and the local corporation agreed to build a new church on a suitable site once peace had returned to Ireland. Unfortunately the Corporation fell through on its promise, but gave the fathers the use of the courthouse as a place of worship. In 1760 a church was built on a site in Middle Street. In 1838, the Augustinians moved from their old house in Middle Street to a new convent on St Augustine Street. The fathers began to focus on the construction of a new church on the Middle Street site and began to collect money in Ireland and abroad. The design for the new church was done by a Dublin architect B Moran.
On August 28 1859, the church was consecrated. It was a great liturgical occasion and was presided over by Bishop McEvilly. Several other Bishops were in attendence along with several many priests.
The Augustinian or Augi as it is known by many Galwegians has undergone many changes since. The most recent change has been the most dramatic, but the church still remains a very popular place of worship. There are at present 3 resident Friars. They are Fr Dick Lyng pp, Fr Des Foley prior and Fr John Whelanand Bro Noel Keane. The Augustinian is also well known for its excellent choir who sing every sunday at the 11am mass. Just recently the choir brought out their very own cd entitled "To sing is to pray twice". A visit to the city of the tribes is not complete without a visit to this beautiful church.
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