The French Church, a former Franciscan Friary and also known as Greyfriars Abbey it was built in 1241 on what is now Greyfriars and Baileys New Street, Waterford. At the entrance to the ancient church stands a monument to Luke Wadding, the famous 17th century Waterford born priest. This friary was one of the first to be built in Ireland, being founded by the Anglo-Norman Knight Sir Hugh Purcell.