The Dominican Convent of St. Mary Magdalene at Drogheda was founded, in 1224, by John Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh.  Richard II. and Henry IV. were great benefactors to this house.  Four general chapters were also held here.  The Black Abbey of Kilkenny was erected by the younger William, Earl of Pembroke.  Four general chapters were also held here, and it was considered one of the first houses of the Order in Ireland.  We shall give details, at a later period, of the destruction and restoration of this and other monasteries.  The Dominicans had also houses at Waterford, Cork, Mullingar, Athenry, Cashel, Tralee, Sligo, Roscommon, and, in fact, in nearly all the principal towns in the country.

Nor were their Franciscan brethren less popular.  The Order of Friars Minor generally found a home near the Friars Preachers; and so close was the friendship between them, that it was usual, on the festivals of their respective founders, for the Franciscan to preach the panegyric of St. Dominic, and the Dominican to preach the panegyric of St. Francis.  Youghal was the first place where a convent of this Order was erected.  The founder, Maurice FitzGerald, was Lord Justice in the year 1229, and again in 1232.  He was a patron of both Orders, and died in the Franciscan habit, on the 20th May, 1257.  Indeed, some of the English and Irish chieftains were so devout to the two saints, that they appear to have had some difficulty in choosing which they would have for their special patron.  In 1649 the famous Owen O’Neill was buried in a convent of the Order at Cavan.  When dying he desired that he should be clothed in the Dominican habit, and buried in the Franciscan monastery.

Some curious particulars are related of the foundation at Youghal.  The Earl was building a mansion for his family in the town, about the year 1231.  While the workmen were engaged in laying the foundation, they begged some money, on the eve of a great feast, that they might drink to the health of their noble employer.  FitzGerald willingly complied with their request, and desired his eldest son to be the bearer of his bounty.  The young nobleman, however, less generous than his father, not only refused to give them the money, but had angry words with the workmen.  It is not mentioned whether the affair came to a more serious collision; but the Earl, highly incensed with the conduct of his son, ordered the workmen to erect a monastery instead of a castle, and bestowed the house upon the Franciscan fathers.  The following year he took their habit, and lived in the convent until his death.  This house was completely destroyed during the persecutions in the reign of Elizabeth.