Holy Cross Priory Sligo

Having come to Ireland in 1224, the Dominicans came to the Sligo area in 1252. The ruin of the original medieval Dominican Abbey has survived to the present day and now forms an integral part of the history of the Sligo town, attracting many pilgrims and visitors.

The 1630s, of course, was a time of bitter persecution in Ireland. The Holy Cross Priory and Church were reduced to ruins, with the Church being used as a court-house and the Dominicans, themselves, being forced to go into hiding. While the original foundation in Sligo was abandoned because of persecution, the Dominicans continued to live in and around the Sligo area, over the next two hundred years.

The present location of the Holy Cross Priory, or “Friary” as it is known by the local people, was opened on 6th January 1848. Though the Church was opened and dedicated on that date, the Community continued to live in Pound Street for another 20 years. A new Priory attached to the Church was opened in 1865 and is situated in the centre of Sligo town. 

The Church of 1848 would remain a place of worship until 1971 when it was demolished (the former apse with its mosaics was left standing) and a “new” Church, was opened and dedicated on 13th May 1973.

Mass Times

Sundays: 19:30pm (Saturday Vigil), 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:15pm

Weekdays: 10:30am & 13:05pm

Holy Days: 19:30pm (Vigil), 10:30am & 13:05pm

Confession Times

Weekdays: 11:00am – 12:00pmSaturday: 11:00am – 12:00pm, 19:00pm – 19:30pm