Whether you're getting around by car or on foot, there's a lot to
see and do near the self catering cottages. We've listed just a few
below.
When you arrive at your self
catering cottage you'll find details about these and all of the
other sites and places of interest in the area. We've even worked
out some itineraries to help you take in all that the area has to
offer.
|
Jerpoint Abbey
The abbey, which lies less than 4 miles from
Croan, 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
Kells Priory (apprx. 8 miles from Croan) is
one of the largest and most magnificent mediaeval monuments
in Ireland. Situated on the bank of the King's River, it comprises
a collection of mediaeval 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 is just minutes outside Kilkenny, 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.
|
|
