Jerpoint Abbeyis a magnificent Cistercian building dating from 1180, based in County Kilkenny. Although it’s in ruins, the site has a charm straight out of the 12th century, and you’re sure to love wandering around its walls, admiring the still-intact vaults and the finesse of its carvings.
Jerpoint abbey – © MNstudio
Jerpoint Abbey is an outstanding example of medieval Irish Cistercian architecture. It is considered a site of great historical and cultural importance.
Founded in the 12th century, around 1158, by Donogh O’Donoghoe, King of Osraige, it was built for Cistercian monks under the patronage of the Butler family of Kilkenny after the monastic community was transferred from an earlier site nearby.
Cistercians often chose isolated sites and productive agricultural land for their abbeys, to meet their need for self-sufficiency and seclusion from the world. Jerpoint Abbey, located near the River Nore in County Kilkenny, provided access to the water necessary for the monastery’s daily life and the irrigation of its farmland.
Over the centuries, Jerpoint Abbey has flourished as a center of faith and education, surviving many periods of turmoil, including the religious reforms of the 16th century. However, following Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1540s, the abbey was gradually abandoned and fell into ruin.
Today, the abbey is managed by Heritage Ireland, and its ruins are open to visitors. The site attracts tourists and researchers keen to discover Ireland’s medieval history and Cistercian architecture. Conservation efforts aim to preserve the remaining structure and provide information about monastic life at the time.
Jerpoint abbey – © MNstudio
Jerpoint abbey is one of the region’s must-see tourist attractions. Considered a historical treasure, the site attracts thousands of visitors every year! A perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Irish history.
Don’t miss the exceptional medieval sculptures, including the unique sculpted columns and cloister, which date back to the 14th century. The carved figures, which include representations of saints, knights and plant motifs, are among the finest examples of medieval art in Ireland.
Numerous sculptures adorn the stones of the building, both inside and out. One of the Abbey’s most elaborate sculptures is said to be on the tomb of Felix O’Dulany, one of the bishops who lived at the time the Abbey was founded.
Beyond the general impression, Jerpoint Abbey boasts breathtaking architecture.
The abbey’s layout follows a typical Cistercian model, with an abbey church, cloister, chapter house, refectory, dormitories and various outbuildings such as workshops and barns.
Gothic and Romanesque influences run through the whole. Some elements are intact, while others, in ruins, offer a unique and mysterious atmosphere.
Don’t miss a stroll around the square tower, along the arched walls of the cloister… Stroll through the central nave, touch the stones and discover the cemetery’s ancient tombs… Some date back to the foundations of the abbey itself!
You’ll enjoy a change of scenery in a peaceful setting. Perfect for a trip back in time to the days of the Irish monks!
Not far from Jerpoint Abbey, you’ll find the ruins of a church where, according to legend, the remains of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the Saint Nicholas closely associated with Christmas, were found…
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