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. 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. 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. restored cloister piers
carry carvings which are similar to the drawings found on
Medieval manuscripts. The abbey was dissolved i