Jerpoint Abbey, located near Thomastown in County Kilkenny, Ireland, is a magnificent Cistercian monastery founded in the second half of the 12th century. I found this whole site to be so enchanting, with the evocative stone carvings, cloister arcade and greenery growing across parts of the ruins. I went a bit crazy with all the photos but there were so many beautiful angles and vantage points… enjoy!
Jerpoint Abbey offers a captivating glimpse into Ireland's medieval monastic heritage. Monasticism in Ireland began in the 4th and 5th Century with the arrival of St. Patrick and other missionaries who established early Christian communities . Prior to this, the Celtic tribes of ancient Ireland held pagan beliefs, with elements of Celtic spiritualism being incorporated into Christian beliefs over time.
Monasteries, like Jerpoint Abbey, became centres of learning, art, and spirituality, playing a crucial role in preserving knowledge and fostering education during the so-called "Dark Ages" in Europe. Monastic settlements often included churches, round towers, and high crosses, and they were influential in spreading Christianity throughout Ireland and beyond. Other notable monastic settlements include Clonmacnoise and Glendalough. (We’ve actually visited Glendalough since visiting Jerpoint Abbey, which I will share soon too, but I found Jerpoint Abbey to be slightly more impressive in size to the ruins at Glendalough, Glendalough is in an amazing location though… stay tuned)
Jerpoint Abbey was a thriving religious centre until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century under Henry VIII, after which it fell into ruin. Today, the abbey is managed by the Office of Public Works and is open to the public. There is a visitor centre onsite and the staff were able to provide the girls with a fantastic scavenger hunt style worksheet where they had to find different carvings and different features around the abbey. These types of worksheets are such a fun way to keep them engaged and that the end, they all received a free postcard as a reward.
Sites like Jerpoint Abbey, that are managed by the Office of Public Work, do charge a small admission fee - usually 5 - 8 Euros per adult, but children under 12 are free.
I’ve always found ancient ruins and abandon structures to be so magical and mysterious. Its’ somewhat of an otherworldly experience to have a place like this all to yourself; to just wander around and take in the remnants of its spiritual past. There were a few other people that arrived while we are there but it didn’t feel crowded in the slightest.
It’s wild to think that places like this just sat abandon for centuries as society changed around them. There is such a haunting beauty to them;.and I’m grateful that they have been preserved and can be appreciated today.