The Dominicans arrived in Youghal sometime in the mid to late 13th century. A couple of hundred years later the monastery was gutted around the time of Sir Walter Raleigh, leaving one gable wall and one pillar, seen below.

When the abbey was being destroyed locals gathered the wood from the front door as sacred relics. One fragment was made into crucifix. This was presented to William O’Brien MP on his release from prison during the Land War. It is pictured below.

When the Abbey was being demolished a little ivory statue of Our Lady of Graces was saved from destruction by a lady called Honora Fitzgerald who brought it to Ballymaloe House and later the statue found its way to Cork. Honora Fitzgerald had a silver case for the icon.Later still a more elaborate wooden housing was made, seen below.