This medieval abbey boasts spectacular 13th-century stone carvings of knights and saints, but many tourists miss this national monument in favour of the Rock of Cashel
The ruins come out on top as one of the best historical sites in the country (Image: Rudolf Ernst via Getty Images)
While the Rock of Cashel looms majestically over Tipperary, attracting history lovers from far and wide, few realise an equally captivating ruin awaits discovery in a neighbouring county.
Stretching back to the 12th century, this monastic ruin in Kilkenny is truly remarkable. A classic mediaeval Cistercian abbey in Ireland, Jerpoint Abbey deserves far more attention than it receives, offering a compelling glimpse into the nation’s heritage through its stunning sculptures.
Jerpoint’s reputation stems from its collection of stone carvings, scattered throughout the monastery grounds. These artistic treasures date back to the 13th century, depicting knights, mensa tombs, and various other memorials.
Today, the ruins hold official national monument status and have been under the stewardship of the Office of Public Works since 1880. Their efforts to preserve the structure and enable visitors to immerse themselves in this slice of Irish history are clearly appreciated by those who make the journey.
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One visitor recounted their experience on TripAdvisor, writing: “Visited here today and was so impressed with the history of the Abbey. The staff were extremely helpful in explaining the carvings and building styles and helping us to visualise the time period of that time. Highly recommend.”
The Monastery
For architecture aficionados, Jerpoint Abbey is an essential destination, as it’s believed to showcase the evolution from Romanesque to Gothic architectural styles – incorporating elements of both.
While the tower and cloister originate from the 15th century, the church itself was constructed during the 12th century.
A standout feature of these stunning ruins is the 15th-century cloister arcade, which boasts numerous stone carvings. The stonework depicts saints, creatures and religious personalities, including one portrayal of St Anthony with a pig beneath him.
The remarkably preserved medieval artistry extends beyond this, however. The south wall contains a cupboard alongside a collection of traditional stone seating adorned with chevron patterns.
What previously served as administrative chambers on the east range now functions as an exhibition space displaying various stone sculptures.
Perhaps the most captivating feature on site, though, are the tombs located in the abbey’s northern section, crafted by the renowned O’Tunneys of Callan.
When exploring Jerpoint, numerous visitors choose the guided tour option, which they’ve praised for helping to “bring the Abbey to life”, with countless glowing five-star reviews for the experience. Many have characterised their tours as “brilliant”, whilst others describe them as “informative” and suggest taking one to fully appreciate the historical context and understand precisely what you’re observing.
Access
During winter months, Jerpoint Abbey closes its doors but is scheduled to welcome visitors again in March. Once reopened, there’s a modest admission charge.
At present, adults pay €5.00, youngsters €3.00, senior citizens €4.00, and a complete family ticket costs €13.00.
The site offers on-site parking, secure bicycle storage, and has been designed to be fully wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for pushchairs too.
At the adjacent visitor centre, youngsters can pick up a treasure hunt activity that enables them to investigate the ruins and uncover all the creatures and saints hidden within its ancient walls.
To locate this captivating destination, you’ll need to head 2.5km south west of Thomastown. It’s positioned just off the R448 and can be found by following signposts for Thomastown.
Nearby history
If that’s insufficient to satisfy your curiosity, there’s additional history to absorb in the vicinity, with Grennan Castle practically on the doorstep.
In Thomastown, Kilkenny, stands this 12th-century castle positioned along the River Nore’s banks, and whilst it doesn’t provide as much detailed information, it certainly makes for an intriguing additional site to explore.
One visitor commented: “Plenty of parking, hardly anyone visits, many picnic tables and an excellent view, as we cannot get enough of old stuff, especially castles. The attraction is not life-changing, however, it is worth a visit.”