See the O'Tunney mensa tombs
Two late 15th- or early 16th-century decorated mensa tombs stand in the north transepts, carved by the famous O'Tunney's of Callan with superb images of European saints and the Apostles.
Jerpoint Abbey
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About
One of Ireland's best-preserved Cistercian abbeys, Jerpoint is a roofless medieval ruin near Thomastown whose cloister arcade is crowded with extraordinary 13th–16th century stone carvings.
Things to Do
Visitor centre and guided tours
A small but informative visitor centre houses an exhibition on the abbey, and guided tours bring the site to life. The tower and cloister date to the 15th century, and the whole ruin rewards a slow wander.
Study the cloister carvings
Jerpoint's standout feature is its 15th-century cloister arcade, lined with carved images of saints, animals and secular figures. Look for St Anthony with a pig at his feet, a Butler knight and his wife with a monkey by her elbow, and a menagerie of mythical beasts.
Explore the church and chancel
The late-12th-century church shows the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. In the south wall of the chancel find the aumbry (where the chalice was kept) and the triple sedilia with chevron designs, plus an original limestone altar slab marked with Maltese crosses.
Find the painted coats of arms
On the north wall of the chancel, four large painted shields represent the abbey's benefactors, with symbols such as scalloped shells, wild boars, discs and ermines — a glimpse of 15th-century heraldic tradition.
Bring the kids on a treasure hunt
Children can explore the abbey with a treasure hunt available in the nearby visitor centre, hunting for saints, patrons, knights, exotic animals and mythological creatures among the carvings.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: 5 March – 2 December 2026. March 9:30–17:00; April–September 9:30–17:30; October 10:00–17:00; November/December 10:00–16:30. Last admissions 45 minutes before closing.
- Admission: Adult €5.00, child/student €3.00, family €13.00
- Parking: Car park on site (free, with additional free street parking). Bicycle parking also available.
- Food: No café or restaurant on site; a picnic area is provided. The nearest food and drink is in Thomastown, about 2.5 km away.
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