Jerpoint Abbey
Jerpoint Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey, founded in the 1160s. In 1540 Jerpoint, like all British abbeys, was closed when the monasteries were dissolved. Jerpoint was then one of the wealthiest Cistercian abbeys in Ireland, but comparable in size to the smaller Cistercian establishments in England. Thanks to the passive attitude of the owners after the dissolution, the monastery was in a relatively good state of preservation until the 19th century. Jerpoint Abbey is notable for its 15th century stone carvings of animals, plants and figures. The best-preserved part of the building is the east wing.
