Kilcrea Friary (Irish: Prióireacht Chill Chré)[1] is a ruined medieval abbey located near Ovens, County Cork, Ireland.

Both the friary and Kilcrea Castle, located in ruin to the west, were built by Observant Franciscans in the mid 15th century under the invitation of Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, as protection from English troops.

[2] The friary was sacked by the English army a number of times in the late 1500s, during which it sustained considerable damage, but remained occupied by friars until the 1620s.

[5] Cyra was an early medieval abbess who reputedly founded a nunnery to the east of the friary in the parish of St Owen's (Ovens).

[6] The abbey was founded in 1465 for the Observant Franciscans by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry,[7] on the grounds of on an earlier Christian site.

Although both the abbey and nearby Kilcrea Castle are located in what is today open countryside, it is thought that originally the sites were positioned on an east–west axis of a now-abandoned early medieval settlement.

Although in ruins, the abbey is still relatively complete, including its tower, cloister and the surrounding east, west and north-facing buildings.

The other four pointed windows are fixed on the south wall via segmental-headed embrasures, and contained either single or twined glass panes (lights).

[11] No trace survives of the high altar which was likely positioned under the east window, but an arched piscina is found nearby in the south wall.

[11] The remains of the chapter room and refectory or possibly the kitchen (33 x 21 ft)[20] are located on the east range,[21] above which are the dormitories.