Gateways through time

Gateways through time

Unearthing Kilmainham: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham and the Lost Norman Priory

In 1174, the site that now houses the Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK) and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is granted to the Knights Hospitaller by Richard De Clare (Strongbow). The Knights Hospitaller expand their presence in Ireland, acquiring extensive landholdings to support their convent and finance their activities across the Christian kingdoms of the Levant. They establish the fortified Priory of St John at Kilmainham, which plays a key role in the defensive network of Norman castles around Dublin.

To date, archaeological exploration of the site remains limited, and the precise location and history of the priory buildings are still not fully mapped. As part of the Year of the Normans, IMMA, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works and research partners, undertakes an archaeological exploration of the meadow to locate and study the remains of the lost priory.

During the Year of the Normans, IMMA presents an interpretive display in the Museum Vaults that situates the Norman presence in a contemporary context. The display features archaeological findings, including medicinal plants, ceramic decorative floor tiles, and fragmented millstones used in culinary practices during the Norman period. These elements connect historical material culture with contemporary artistic practices.

A programme of “Gate to Gate” walking talks explores the history of the Hospitaller Priory, placing it within the broader context of Norman colonisation. These tours examine how the legacy of the Norman Hospitaller presence continues to shape the political and cultural landscape of contemporary Ireland.

Practical information

General public 

Partners: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Ards and North Down Heritage Office (UK)

Image Caption: St John’s Priory by Stephen Conlin, commissioned by Dublin City Council Archaeology. Reconstruction of the lands of Kilmainham c.1340, viewed westward from above the Royal Hospital building.