Jerpoint Abbey
| Jerpoint Abbey | |
|---|---|
| Mainistir Sheireapúin | |
East front of Jerpoint Abbey
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| General information | |
| Type | Abbey |
| Architectural style | Cistercian architecture |
| Location | Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°30′39″N 7°09′29″W / 52.51093°N 07.15798°WCoordinates: 52°30′39″N 7°09′29″W / 52.51093°N 07.15798°W |
| Construction started | 1180 |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Reference no. | 80 |
Jerpoint Abbey is a ruined Cistercian abbey, founded in the second half of the 12th century, near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located 2.5 km south west from Thomastown on the R448 regional road. There is a Visitor Centre with an exhibition. It has been declared a national monument and has been in the care of the Office of Public Works since 1880.
It was constructed by in 1180, by Donogh O'Donoghoe Mac Gilla Patraic, the King of Osraige. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Jerpoint is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix O'Dulany, Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory. The abbey flourished until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII.
Jerpoint Abbey gives its name to the civil parish of Jerpoint Abbey or Abbey-Jerpoint in the barony of Knocktopher. It lies near the anciently corporate town of Newtown Jerpoint.
In 1180, by Donogh O'Donoghoe Mac Gilla Patraic, the King of Kingdom of Ossory, moved the monks of the Cistercian Order from a distant part of Ossory to the present site. Here he constructed the abbey, probably on the site of an earlier Benedictine monastery built in 1160 by Domnall Mac Gilla Patraic, King of Osraige.
The abbey continued to flourish until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII. It was surrendered to the king by Oliver Grace, the last abbot. In 1541 it was granted by Philip and Mary to James Butler, the 9th Earl Earl of Ormond. The abbey became a favourite place of sepulture with all the great families in the surrounding country. In 1202, Felix O'Dullany, Bishop of Ossory, was interred here.
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