Jerpoint Abbey

What is Jerpoint Abbey about?

            Jerpoint Abbey was founded in 1160 as a Benedictine abbey by Donogh O’Donoghoe Mac Gilla Patraic, king of Osraige, just before the Norman invasions began. Monks from Baltinglass colonized the monastery in 1180 and converted Jerpoint to a Cistercian abbey. It started out with thirteen monks and eventually expanded to house 86 men. Jerpoint’s original landholdings included over 14,000 acres. Oliver Grace, the last abbot of Jerpoint, surrendered the abbey when Henry VIII began the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1541, Jerpoint was granted to James Butler, the 9^th Earl of Ormond. The Office of Public Works assumed care of Jerpoint in 1880.

(The Belltower at Jerpoint. Credit: Kelly)

Who do we need to remember?

            Donogh O’Donoghoe Mac Gilla Patraic (founder)

            King Henry VIII (Initiated the Dissolution of the Monasteries)

What does Jerpoint Abbey look like? 

            Chapter House is second most important room next to the church. It was the only place where the monks could come together to talk and ask questions. They were only allowed one hour per day in the Chapter House. Only one room in the abbey had heat, and the monks were only allowed in that room for one hour each day. The monks also employed laypeople to help around the abbey and work in the surrounding fields. The bell tower was added at the end of the 14^th century.

            The entire abbey was built as a commune: all of the necessary facilities were enclosed in the walls of the monastery. An open courtyard lay in the center, surrounded by intricately carved stone pillars. The A number of stone carvings, such as effigies of abbots, bishops, and knights adorned the walls and pillars of the abbey, many of which have eroded with time. Under the remains of the vaulted ceiling beneath the bell tower are several stone tombs, many dating from the 15^th and 16^th century. Many of the tombs are adorned with carvings of the twelve Apostles, each with his own symbol. The tombs are a testament to the O’Tunney school of sculpture.  

(The courtyard at Jerpoint Abbey. Credit: Kelly)

Where is Jerpoint Abbey? 

Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland

What does Jerpoint Abbey mean to Ireland in the past and today? 

            The monks employed laypeople at the abbey, indicating a shift from community living to communal living. The monks were not allowed to mingle with the laypeople because they believed that the laypeople would distract them from their routine. The monks at Jerpoint were more legalistic in their practices.

            Jerpoint shows the progression of Irish monastic living. Whereas Glendalough and earlier sites were more city-like, Jerpoint was all in one building. We found the physical differences surprising. The architecture at Jerpoint featured several large arches and was built more for isolation. Glendalough, however, had a simpler architectural structure as well as a community atmosphere. 

(Close-up of some arches at Jerpoint. Credit: Kelly) 

           

What did our group think of Jerpoint Abbey? 

            Our group originally thought that monasteries were run completely by monks with no inclusion of laypeople. We were surprised when the guide told us that the monks actually hired laypeople. We also thought the carvings around the monasteries were quite interesting. Some of our favorites included portrayals of the Seven Deadly Sins. We agreed that we could not survive on the monks’ simple diet of boiled vegetables, bread, and beer. It was interesting that the monks were only allowed to talk and ask questions in the Chapter House. We thought that the abbeys might encourage discussion among the monks so they could dig deeper into their beliefs.