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Selskar Abbey is a 12th-century Irish monastery located near the town of Wexford. Although devastated by Cromwell’s assaults, the site has retained all its charm, and is one of County Wexford’s most popular attractions.

Visit Selskar Abbey

An exceptional Augustinian monastery

Selskar Abbey was built on the ruins of an ancient church in 1190, at the request of Sir Alexander Roche de Artramont, an influential Anglo-Norman of the region. Intended as a place of residence and worship for the Augustinians, the monastery was an important religious and cultural center in the region, before being abandoned by the monks in the 16th century.

The building was partially destroyed in 1649, during Cromwell’s sack of Waterford. A real disaster, considering the damage caused to the building! Since then, Selskar Abbey has been declared a national monument, and has been open to visitors since July 2012. Easily accessible, the site is as imposing as it is grandiose, and has a charm all its own that will appeal to lovers of history and medieval architecture!

It’s easy to get to, as it’s right in the center of town, and the calm surrounding the site makes it an ideal place to recharge your batteries and get away from it all, despite its urban setting. The architecture here is truly remarkable, with intact pediments, Gothic towers and arched openings. It’s possible to enter the abbey, but you need to be extra careful: the site is fragile and requires a great deal of caution. The tour is obligatorily guided, and is really fun and interesting, provided you have some knowledge of the English language.

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