Rising majestically above Tipperary in Ireland stands the Rock of Cashel, attracting history lovers from across the globe – yet few realise an equally captivating ruin exists in a neighbouring county.

Tracing its origins to the 12th century, this monastic ruin in Kilkenny, Ireland, proves utterly breathtaking. A classic mediaeval Cistercian abbey in Ireland, Jerpoint Abbey deserves considerable attention, offering a compelling glimpse into the nation’s history through its remarkable sculptures.

Jerpoint’s reputation stems from its collection of stone carvings, scattered throughout the monastery grounds. These artistic masterpieces date back to the 13th century, depicting knights, mensa tombs, and various commemorative monuments.

Today, the ruins hold official national monument status, maintained by the Office of Public Works since 1880. Their efforts to preserve the structure and enable visitors to appreciate this slice of Irish heritage receive widespread recognition from those exploring the site.

One  tourist shared their experience on TripAdvisor, saying: “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 lovers, Jerpoint Abbey represents essential viewing, as it’s believed to showcase the shift from Romanesque to Gothic building techniques – incorporating elements of both. The tower and cloister originate from the 15th century; the church, meanwhile, was constructed in the 12th century.

A major attraction within these stunning ruins is the 15th-century cloister arcade, which features numerous carvings etched into the stonework. The masonry depicts saints, creatures and religious characters, including one showing St Anthony with a pig beneath him.

Yet the remarkably preserved medieval artistry extends further. The south wall contains a cupboard alongside a collection of traditional stone seating adorned with chevron patterns.

What previously served as accommodation on the east range for abbey administration now presents various stone carvings as an exhibition space. Undoubtedly though, amongst the site’s most captivating features are the tombs situated in the abbey’s northern section, crafted by the renowned O’Tunneys of Callan.

When exploring Jerpoint, numerous visitors choose the guided tour, which they’ve stated helped them “bring the Abbey to life”, with many highly-rated five-star testimonials praising the service. Several have characterised their tours as “brilliant”, whilst others describe them as “informative” and suggest them for gaining comprehensive understanding of the heritage and identifying precisely what you’re observing.

Access

During winter months, Jerpoint Abbey remains closed to visitors but will welcome guests again from March. Admission charges apply.

Adult tickets currently cost €5.00, whilst youngsters pay €3.00, senior citizens €4.00 and families can purchase a combined ticket for €13.00.

On-site parking facilities are provided, alongside secure bicycle storage, and the entire abbey has been designed for wheelchair accessibility, making it suitable for pushchairs too. At the visitor centre, youngsters can obtain a treasure hunt activity, enabling them to explore the ruins whilst discovering the various creatures and saints depicted throughout its ancient walls.

To locate this captivating destination, travel 2.5km south west from Thomastown. It’s positioned just off the R448 and can be found by following signposts towards Thomastown.

Nearby history

Should you want to explore further, additional historical sites await in the vicinity, with Grennan Castle close by.

In Thomastown, Kilkenny, stands this 12th-century fortress positioned along the River Nore’s banks, and whilst it doesn’t provide extensive interpretive material, it certainly serves as an intriguing supplementary location to wander through.

One traveller said: “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.”