Athassel Abbey Co Tipperary

     Above Image: The Cloister

       Above Image: The Stone roof

    Above Image: The eerie stone carvings

      Above Image: The Medieval Bridge

        Above Image: The gate is locked. The wooden stile

                           can be seen to the right of the gate

Athassel Abbey was founded for the Augustinians by William Fitz-Aldhem deBurgho in 1192AD. It grew over the next three centuries to become the largest Abbey in Ireland. It covered almost four acres of land and so important was it, that a town grew up around it. The town has now disappeared but the remains of the Abbey express the greatness of this site. It is off the beaten track and not as heavily advertised as other Abbeys so don't be surprised if you find yourself alone on your visit.
Throughout it's history it was burned twice. Once in 1329 and again in 1581. Finally it was dissolved in 1537 and lands granted to Thomas the Earl of Ormond who neglected the Abbey and subsequently allowed it to fall into ruin.
When you first lay eyes on the Abbey, it looks fairly innocuous, lying in a cattle pasture. It is only when you reach its gatehouse that you begin to perceive how huge this site was. There are vaulted aisles in the nave along with gravestones dating from de Burgho himself up to recent times. We saw a grave stone dated 2008, so the Abbey was still used for this purpose up to modern times.
You enter the Abbey by way of a medieval bridge which crosses a sometimes dried up tributary of the nearby Suir river. You will need to cross a wooden stile in the fence to the right of the padlocked gate. Once in, you will see right through the nave and the vaulted archway to the altar at the rear of the church. The church is almost 200 feet in length and there are two side chapels in each transept.
We have come across large monastic sites before, Bective and Fore Abbeys for example, but we have never seen such an awe-inspiring structure as this. My wife likened it to the grandeur of Glastonbury Abbey. It is a hidden gem and a must visit. You could literally spend hours here as there is so much to see.
There are a set of stone steps which lead to a two tiered stone roof from which the views of the Galtee mountains are spectacular. This roof also overlooks the cloister below.
One aspect of this visit has been left for last. There is a distinct atmosphere about the place, especially within the church. It is to say, a little unsettling, as if you were being observed. Outside the walls are nothing but the grazing cows, but within....we're not sure. Watched and followed, that's what it felt like. The eerie statues in the church of St Joseph and a headless boy Jesus, now worn by time, look almost ghostly. All of this is not to say that we wanted to leave quickly, we didn't, but there is most definitely something strange afoot.
To find Athassel take the N74  from Cashel towards Tipperary town. When you enter the town of Golden and cross the Bridge over the Suir, take the first turn left. It is a country road and narrow but you can park as we did opposite the gate leading into the meadow in which Athassel is situated. Don't block any of the gates as there is a working Farm here. You can access the locked field by climbing over a stile built into the wall, but tread carefully across the meadow as it is littered like landmines, with cow pats!

Moor Abbey Co Tipperary

Mo

Moor Abbey lies in the Glen of Aherlow in the shadow of the Galtee Mountains. It was founded by Donough O'Brien Earl of Thomond as the first Franciscan Friary in the 13th century. It had a chequered history, suppressed by the Earl of Desmond in 1540 and burned twice in 1569 and 1570. The Franciscans returned in 1645 and were expelled again by the Cromwellian forces. It was 1658 before they could once again occupy the Abbey. They finally left for the last time in 1748 and the Abbey fell into ruin.
While Moor Abbey is striking, it is but a simple Church and tall tower. Nothing remains of the cloister and outbuildings and you will find your visit brief. But it is nonetheless worth your time especially if you are in the area and  have visited the magnificent Athassel Abbey.In Moor there are some fine examples of archwork, especially the entrance door and within some interesting stone carvings can be seen.. The Abbey is situated near the town of Galbally in the very scenic Glen of Aherlow.
To find the Abbey, take the R662 from Tipperary town to Galbally. Once in the town of Galbally you will find the Town Square (ironically triangular!). Take the left hand road the R663 and you will shortly come across the Abbey. There is ample parking to the left of the ruins.

Golden Castle Co Tipperary

                         Above Image: The Memorial statue to Thomas Macdonagh

                                     Above Image: Will a strong wind topple it....!

Golden Castle, or what remains of it,  is a Medieval Tower which stands on an Island beside the Bridge crossing the River Suir in the small but charming Village of Golden in South Tipperary. The Castle is thought to have been built in the 1300's and this is mentioned on the plaque which is attached to the memorial statue to Thomas MacDonagh who fought in the 1916 Rising which sits in front of the ruin by the roadside.  The Tower stands now as part of a developed park which surrounds the Bridge area and you can climb up some steps giving you picturesque views of the Suir.One view from the park gives the impression that the Tower is standing precariously and ready to topple over. It is a precarious ruin, but it stands nonetheless. There is a lot of history in this area and it is worthwhile to stop in Golden and have a look at the ruin before moving on to the spectacular ruins of Athassel Abbey nearby.(see post here)
To find Golden Castle, take the N74 from Cashel towards Tipperary Town and you will come across the Village of Golden en-route. you can park just beyond the Bridge.

Kilcooley Abbey Co Tipperary

                                           Above Image: The entrance gate

                                 Above Image: Close up of the Dog at the feet of
                                                        the Knight

                                       Above Image: The tomb of the Knight

                                               Above Image: A Dovecote?

                                   Above Image: One of the fine carved walls

                                              Above Image: The Church

                               Above Image: Part of one of the Ambulatory pillars

                            Above Image: One of the buttresses on the Church wall

                                          Above Image: An upper floor room.

                                 Above Image: The knight's effigy with worn face.

                                          Above Image: The baptismal font

                           Above Image: Stairs leading to upper floor (now locked)

                              Above Image: The decorative entrance hall ceiling

                                      Above Image: The mysterious pyramid

                                      Above Image: Exterior of the infirmary

                                      Above Image: Part of the infirmary interior

                                    Above Image: Another part of the infirmary


First let me say that although there was a slight disappointment with one aspect of these ruins which I will cover later, they were still one of the most remarkable places we have visited.
The Abbey was founded for the Cistercians in 1182AD when the lands were granted to them by Donal Mor O'Brien. It became one of the three great Abbeys in the area, the other two being Jerpoint and Holy Cross. It would have been in use at least until the dissolution of Abbeys in the 1500's and it now sits hidden away on the lands of the Kilcooley estate.
We were really looking forward to seeing these ruins although we were a little apprehensive about them being located on a private estate but as we approached we found the great gates of the estate open and a sign pointing toward a more modern Church also on these lands situated a short way down the driveway.
We drove down taking a sharp right bend to avoid another set of gates leading directly to the actual estate house. The lane way narrows after the new Church and then you pass through another set of open gates. This is when you get your first view of Kilcooley Abbey. I have to say I was taken aback by how defined it looked against the backdrop of the trees.
On the route across the meadow to the ruins you pass by a curious beehive shaped structure which may or not have been a dovecote or pigeon house used by the former monks. Also more mysteriously on the land adjacent to the estate house and opposite the new Church is a strange pyramid shaped structure set against what looks to be a gable end of an ancient Church.What significance it has is a mystery, a memorial perhaps?
On reaching the Abbey  we walked around the entire exterior which seemed to have a wire fence preventing entry but eventually we found an entrance gate which although closed over was unlocked with an open padlock dangling from it (We later discovered that the OPW leave this gate unlocked for likely visitors during as they say reasonable daylight hours.) From the moment we walked in we knew this was going to be something special.
The Abbey consists of a large entrance hall, a church, a tower and a sacristy along with some residential buildings and an adjacent infirmary. In the entrance hall there is a nicely carved baptismal font and some amazing decorative ceiling design. As you look in from the gate the archways diminish into the distance giving great depth to the Abbey.
Strolling around these ruins gives you a great sense of how it was in the daily lives of those stationed here
The abbey being off the beaten path lay silent and we found ourselves wandering around alone. I found it to exude a very calm ambiance and even though we split up and I often found myself alone I never got any bad vibes such as those experienced in say Athassel Abbey (see post here) where there was always a feeling of being observed. Parts of Kilcooley Abbey are still stone roofed, such as the nave most of the remainder are open to the elements. The Church has two great arched windows on either end and a remarkable tomb bearing the remains of the Knight, Piers Oge Butler (d. 1526AD). The image of the Knight with a faithful hound lying at his feet is marred only by the worn away features of his face. The carved design on the side of the tomb depicting ten of the twelve apostles are carved by the then well known Rory O'Tunney who is also recognised for his fine work on Jerpoint Abbey
Between the sacristy and the south transept stands a wall with numerous interesting carvings including a depiction of the crucifixion. It is just amazing how much decoration is on display within these walls.
The ambulatory outside is missing almost all of the fine pillars that surrounded it but there is a nice walkway around a grassy area overlooked by the tower which on a fine day is a suntrap. Here there are also two huge buttresses supporting one of the Church walls which are positioned in such a way that you can comfortably lean  back against them and bask a little in the sunshine.
Adjacent to the Abbey are the ruins of what was once the infirmary. This is a dim and shadowy building and here unlike the Abbey the atmosphere felt  a little uncomfortable.
Of course with all this fine stonework and amazing ruins there has to be some downside and this comes in the form of some restricted access. Parts of the ground floor rooms and the upper rooms and tower have been sadly locked by the OPW and are inaccessible due to insurance issues. You can climb up the steps but only peer into one of the upper rooms. Nevertheless don't be put off by these restrictions as these are exceptional ruins for a visit and there is still so much to see. The Abbey, in its secluded spot is the lesser visited and least advertised but is a must if in the area. Not surprisingly parts have been utilised by the film industry in the past for such films as "Catholics" (1973) and "Excalibur" (1981).
To find Kilcooly Abbey, from the M8 take the junction 4 exit for the R693 and drive for approx 400m then taking a right hand turn at the roundabout onto the R639 for Urlingford. Drive through the main street and take a left turn onto the R689 (Togher Rd). About 2.5KM later you will reach a crossroads. Go straight through and drive again for approx 1.5KM where you will reach a sharp bend to the right. Continue on for 500m and you will see the large gates for Kilcooley estate on your left. Once through the gates just follow the driveway down until you have passed the new Church on your right. Continue on down the lane and you will spot the Abbey on your left.You can park at the edge of the meadow.