Jerpoint Abbey

Must-see attractions nearby: St Canice's Cathedral Rothe House Kilkenny Castle Black Abbey Church High Town Kilkenny Arts Festival St Canice's Steps

Of these only the sacristy, chapter house and day rooms on the east side have been preserved. Over the crossing, as the rule of the Order required, rises the handsome 15th C. tower (fine views from the top). The nave is divided into two parts, the monks' choir and the lay brothers' choir. The church has many fine monuments, including the tombs of Bishop O'Dulany of Ossory (d. 1202), Katerine Poher and Robert Walsh (d. 1501; by Rory O'Tunney) and two 13th C. knights. Note the rows of figures, known as the "weepers" on the tombs. In the cloister are a fine series of carved figures, which have been called "a Late Gothic picture book," between the twin columns in the arcading. They were the work of Rory O'Tunney, of whom nothing is known except that he came from a great family of sculptors and is believed to have been active between 1501 and 1552.