Jamestown, Co. Leitrim

Baile Shéamais, Co. Liatroma

Founded in 1642-5, the site of this friary is located next to the River Shannon. The friary was sufficiently well established to host an assembly of the Irish bishops in 1650 and Irish Franciscan Chapters in 1659 and 1661. A cemetery surrounds the remains of the small church. The ivy

covered ruin together with cemetery yews and riverine trees and shrubs provide plenty of nesting sites for birds whose song is very much in evidence at this site. Amongst the flora are forgetmenot, cut-leaved cranesbill, bush vetch, thistles, hedge woundwort, willowherbs, buttercups and speedwells. 

Praying Nature at Jamestown Friary

The writer of psalm one likens people who delight in the Law of the Lord to trees planted by rivers... God's will for you is that you be fruitful in all that you do. With the help of the images below, reflect upon the following words from the psalm:

They are like trees

planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season,

and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper

Psalm 1, 3