[2] By 1541 the Augustinian friars owned nearly 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land, several cottages and gardens in the village and a fishing weir on the river.

As part of the Tudor suppression of Irish Monasteries at the end of the 16th century, the Augustinians were driven out of Adare and had moved to Limerick city by 1633.

The garth is small and square, and the piers are relatively narrow and buttress-like, with boldly moulded plinths repeated along the base walls.

The arches between them are relatively high and four-centred and the triple openings are set centrally in the walls, with unglazed mullioned windows.

The string course below the parapet on the south side aisle consists of late stone bosses including a Tudor rose.

On 12 December 2008, the building was officially opened by Mary Hanafin TD, who was the Minister for Education and Science when construction started.