By 1540, as part of the dissolution of the monasteries, the commissioners of King Henry VIII suppressed the friary and sold its lands, buildings and goods.
The Director of the excavations (Principal Investigator) since 2010 is Finola O'Carroll, and Dr. Rachel E. Scott of DePaul University, Chicago, has been the project bioarchaeologist (osteoarchaeologist) since 2012.
These annual excavations undertaken by Irish and international students of the Field School together with members of the local community have helped to reveal the architecture of the friary while also uncovering burials from inside and outside the church.
Ongoing excavations continue to reveal details of the layout of the buildings, suggesting the presence of a scriptorium as well as the chapter house in the east range.
The project aims to rejuvenate the six-acre site where the Friary is located for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike.