Sightseeing in Kilkenny

Aghaviller Church and Round Tower

Croan cottages have not one but 2 round towers nearby. These ancient monastic structures were built as a refuge during the troubled dark ages when Viking raids were common.

Aghaviller church, is still used for occasional services and is open to be explored. Croan is visible across the fields from the top of the narrow stone steps.

The Castle Morres vault lies in the adjacent church-yard and holds the remains of the Morres family, owners and residents of the adjoining Castlemorres from the 18th Century.

The second round tower is at the Kilree monastic site approximately 3 miles from Croan.

Castlemorres Demesne

Adjacent to Croan Cottages is the wooded demesne of Castlemorres (sometimes called Castle Morres or Castlemorris). Formerly home to the Morres and De Montmorency families. The former's family vault can still be seen in the local church yard. Unfortuately much of the house is now demolished.

The church yard also contains the remains of an ancient round tower. Built to protect the occupants and valuables of monastic settlements from Viking raids, these towers dot the Nore valley.

The grounds now merge with other Coillte woods totalling approximately 2000 acres. These woods offer excellent walks and are home to the Castle Morres Pheasant shoot.

Jerpoint Abbey

The abbey, which lies less than 4 miles from Croan Cottages, was built around 1160 by the King of Ossory, Donal MacGillapatrick, for the Benedictine monks.

In 1180 it was taken over by Cistercian monks from Baltinglass Abbey. By 1228 the population of the abbey had reached 36 monks and 50 brothers.

The monastery was self-contained, and included its own gardens, watermills, infirmary, cemetery, kitchens, granary, stables and other outbuildings.

At the time of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the abbey was granted on lease to James, the Earl of Ormond by the English crown. The lease included some 6,000 hectares of land belonging to the Abbey, watermills, cottages, weirs, fisheries and a castle.

Kells Priory

The nearby Kells Priory is one of the largest and most magnificent medieval monuments in Ireland. Situated on the bank of the King's River, it comprises a collection of medieval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of some three acres.

Kells Priory was founded by Geoffrey FitzRobert in 1193. FitzRobert was brother-in-law to Strongbow and the priory succeeded an earlier church which was dedicated to St. Mary, the Blessed Virgin and served as parish church to nearby Kells village.

During it's first century and a half the priory was attacked and burned on three occasions, firstly by Lord William de Bermingham in 1252, by the Scots army of Edward Bruce on Palm Sunday 1326, and by a second William de Bermingham in 1327. It seems likely then that the walls and fortifications date back to this period of unrest.

In 1324 the Bishop of Ossory Richard de Ledrede paid a lenten visit to the priory. Following an inquisition into a Kilkenny sect of heretics, Alice Kytler and William Outlaw were ordered to appear before the Bishop to answer charges of witchcraft. Outlaw was supported by Arnold de Paor, Lord of Kells who arrested the Bishop and had him imprisoned in Kilkenny Castle for 17 days. This caused great scandal and on his release the Bishop successfully prosecuted the heretics. Alice Kytler fled to England and remained there, Alice Smith also fled, but her mother Petronella de Meath became Ireland's first heretic to be burned at the stake.

Dissolution of Kells Priory finally took place in March 1540 and the chuch and property were surrendered to James Butler, Ninth Earl of Ormonde.

Kilkenny Castle

Croan Cottages are just minutes outside Kilkenny city, undoubtedly Ireland's loveliest inland city.

Kilkenny rose to prominence in the 13th century, when the Irish Parliament often met at the Castle.

Built in the 1190s, Kilkenny Castle was occupied right up until 1935. The powerful Butler family lived in it from the late 14th century, but because of the exorbitant upkeep, their descendants eventually donated Kilkenny Castle to the nation in 1967.

With its drum towers and solid walls, the castle retains its medieval form, but has undergone many alterations. The Victorian changes made in Gothic Revival style have had the most enduring impact, and are even more impressive since recent restoration work.

St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny

Built between 1202 and 1285 this graceful cathedral has been preserved in its original style. St. Canice's Cathedral is richly endowed with many stained glass windows. The choir stalls are decorated with fine continental carvings and the sanctuary floor is paved with coloured marble from the four provinces of Ireland.

There is a large collection of ancient stone monuments with carvings going back to medieval times. Nicholas Walsh, pioneer translator of the Bible into Irish, is buried here.

The ancient stone of enthronement for bishops, called Saint Kieran's chair, dates back to earliest Christian times.

Beside the cathedral stands a round tower. This was used as a watchtower and refuge in pre-Norman times. While it lacks its original conical stone cap it still provides visitors with the best view of Kilkenny City.