Graiguenamanagh
|
Graiguenamanagh Gráig na Manach
|
|
|---|---|
| Town | |
View of Graiguenamanagh and the church from the River Barrow
|
|
 Graiguenamanagh
|
|
| Coordinates: 52°32′00″N 6°57′00″W / 52.533333°N 6.95°WCoordinates: 52°32′00″N 6°57′00″W / 52.533333°N 6.95°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Kilkenny |
| Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Urban | 1,545 |
| • Rural | 932 |
| Irish Grid Reference | S705440 |
Graiguenamanagh or Graignamanagh (Irish: Gráig na Manach, meaning "village of the monks") is a town in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located on the R705 regional road by the border with County Carlow on the River Barrow at the foot of Brandon Hill. It is home to Duiske Abbey, the largest and perhaps the finest of the thirty-four medieval Cistercian abbeys in Ireland.
Kilbride Coaches operate a route linking the town to Kilkenny via Gowran.
The River Barrow, historically a significant highway, was developed as a commercial navigation in the mid seventeen hundreds and Graiguenamanagh served as the main base for commercial barges operating on the river until barge traffic ceased in 1959. The barges that at one time lined the quaysides are now replaced by some one hundred pleasure craft.
Near to the town are the ruined remains of the early Christian church of Ullard, founded by Saint Fiachra in the seventh century. St Fiachra subsequently moved to France, where he is known as St Fiacre, and founded the celebrated monastery at Meaux. He is the patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers; French cabs are often known as fiacres in his honour. Some few miles downstream from Graiguenamanagh the ruins of the ancient monastic establishment at St. Mullins are situated in an area of great beauty and historic interest.
...
Wikipedia