Founded at Naas 1356; transferred 1829

The Dominican priory of Naas, founded in 1356, was the twenty-eighth foundation of the Dominican Order in Ireland. Earlier foundations included Dublin and Drogheda (1224), Kilkenny (1225), Waterford (1226), Limerick (1227), Cork (1229) and Athy (1257). The Naas priory was founded by the Normal family of FitzEustace and was, as a result, dedicated to Saint Eustace. The legend of Saint Eustace recounts how the saint was converted to Christ when the stag he was hunting stood at bay before him with a crucifix between its antlers. This motif appears on the college coat of arms.

The priory was suppressed in 1540, and between that date and 1640 few records survive, even though it is known that the friars remained in the area. There was a Dominican presence in Naas in 1641 – as we know from the story of Blessed Peter O’Higgins. Even after the Cromwellian occupation had begun and conditions had become precarious, the Dominicans did not leave, at least not until the general exile of 1698 when all bishops and religious were banished under pain of death.

The Penal Laws were enacted in 1690 and were rigorously enforced for some fifty years. However, by 1750 the friars began to work more or less openly again. While there may have been some small communities of friars in the cities, in the country the friars lived alone. In 1782 the Penal Laws were officially revoked, but it was stipulated that there should be no new friars.

In the mid-18^th century there was no town of Newbridge, the area being part of the Barony of Connell. In 1780 a bridge was built across the river Liffey a short distance upstream from the existing bridge. In 1816 a large cavalry barracks which accommodated 1800 horse was constructed nearby. This was needed in order extend security outside Dublin after the rebellion of 1798, and again during the Napoleonic wars. The town, now known as Droichead Nua or Newbridge, grew up around this complex.

The Dominicans came to Newbridge in 1756, and the foundation of Naas was officially transferred to there in 1769 or 1777. Fr John Daly was the first prior of the transferred house, and he wrote, “Fr Hugh Reynolds lived permanently in the Naas district, the others being scattered throughout various parts of the [Irish Dominican] Province.... When some of the more prominent inhabitants of the village of Newbridge, following popular demand, invited him thither, he built a small cabin on the commons, at a place called Cluin in Irish, taking in from the commons, about three acres of land.” The present-day priory, church and college gradually developed from this cabin.

The present church of St Eustace, Newbridge, is the third church on this site, having been preceded by one built in 1870, which itself replaced the original church dating from 1819. It was blessed by Cardinal Michael Browne OP in 1966.