Located
on the banks of the River Arrigle about 2km from Thomastown,
Co. Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey was founded in 1158. In Medieval
times there was a town of Jerpoint but this had fallen
into ruin by the seventeenth century.
Jerpoint Abbey is regarded as one of the most interesting
Cistercian ruins in Ireland. It offers a unique insight
into the lives of the monks because many of its domestic
arrangements are still recognisable. The abbey was self-sufficient
and had its own gardens, watermills, cemetery, granary
and kitchens. The oldest parts of the abbey are the Irish-Romanesque
transepts and chancel, which contains faded wall paintings.
The east window dates from the fourteenth century and
the fantastic central tower was added in the fifteenth
century.
Wooden steps still follow the run of the night stairs.
By going up them, you will reach the roof and can look
down on the Dublin-Waterford railway. The restored cloister
piers carry carvings which are similar to the drawings
found on Medieval manuscripts. The abbey was dissolved
in 1540 and its 1880 acres were presented to the Earl
of Ormonde.
Located
on the banks of the River Arrigle about 2km from Thomastown,
Co. Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey was founded in 1158. In Medieval
times there was a town of Jerpoint but this had fallen
into ruin by the seventeenth century. 
