Four Masters Monument
within 5km of the North West Trail
The Four Masters are commemorated in Donegal town by a 25ft monument of local stone. This monument celebrates the names of the Four Masters who began work on the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland in the early 1600’s.
The Four Masters were Brother Michael (Tadgh) O’Clery, his cousin Peregrine or Cucogry O’Clery, Fearfasa O’Mulconry and Peregrine O’Duigenan. For the period of their work the Friars of Donegal kept the scribes and their fees were paid by Feargal O’Gara who was presented with a copy in appreciation of his patronage.
Brother Michael O’Clery (the only Franciscan, the other scribes were lay professional writers) was descended from a long line of scholars. After he had joined the Franciscan Order he was sent from Louvain to Ireland to work on a history of Irish Saints, while here he got the idea of compiling the “Annals”.
The Four Masters were Brother Michael (Tadgh) O’Clery, his cousin Peregrine or Cucogry O’Clery, Fearfasa O’Mulconry and Peregrine O’Duigenan. For the period of their work the Friars of Donegal kept the scribes and their fees were paid by Feargal O’Gara who was presented with a copy in appreciation of his patronage.
Brother Michael O’Clery (the only Franciscan, the other scribes were lay professional writers) was descended from a long line of scholars. After he had joined the Franciscan Order he was sent from Louvain to Ireland to work on a history of Irish Saints, while here he got the idea of compiling the “Annals”.
This project is supported by the EU INTERREG IIIA Programme for Ireland/Northern Ireland