Jerpoint Abbey

Jerpoint Abbey

Mainistir Sheireapúin
East front of Jerpoint Abbey
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Order	Cistercians
Established	1180
Disestablished	1541
Diocese	Ossory
People
Founder(s)	Donchadh Ó Donnchadha Mac Giolla Phátraic, King of Osraige
Architecture
Status	Inactive
Style	Cistercian
Site
Location	Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Coordinates	52°30′39″N 7°09′29″W / 52.51093°N 07.15798°W / 52.51093; -07.15798
Public access	No
National monument of Ireland
Official name	Jerpoint Abbey
Reference no.	80

Jerpoint Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Sheireapúin)^[1] is a ruined Cistercian abbey, founded in the second half of the 12th century in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located 2.5 km south west of 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.

Scholars believe that Domnall Mac Gilla Pátraic (d.1176), the son of Cerball Mac Gilla Pátraic was possibly the founder of Jerpoint Abbey.^[2] Jerpoint Abbey may have been in existence since the 1160s but was only formally affiliated to the Cistercian order in 1180. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Jerpoint is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory and Cistercian founder of the abbey.^[3] The abbey flourished until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by the English king Henry VIII.

Until c. 1310, Jerpoint housed monks of Irish descent, whereas the Cistercian monastery in Graiguenamanagh housed monks of Norman descent.^[4]

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.