Tulsk priory was founded in 1448 as a Dominican House. It would have had a community of four to six friars and relied for the most part on the support of its local patrons and the descendants of the founding family. The founder is disputed, but was either a member of the MacDowell family, or Felim, son of Felim Clery O'Conor. By 1578, the friars had moved on from Tulsk, apparently never to return.

Today the standing remains of the priory comprise a nave, transept and a tower house. The nave would have been the main body of the church. The transept or side aisle would have been added later. There is evidence to suggest there was a cloister to the north of the priory. The tower house was likely to have been a fortification added to the defunct priory by English government troops in the late sixteenth century to protect a small English garrison.

In recent years it became apparent that Tulsk Priory was at high risk of collapse, in particular the highest sections of the tower house. In 2013 major conservation works were carried out on Tulsk priory, as an action of the County Roscommon Heritage Plan 2012-2016.