(Dungarvan Village)
Gowran Co Kilkenny
Tel: 00353 (0)56 7793 883
eliz@kilbawnhouse.com
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Duiske Abbey |
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google maps reference
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Consecrated in 1204, Duiske Abbey is a National Monument which was originally a Cistercian monastery, but is now a Roman Catholic parish church. It is situated in Graiguenamanagh, about 16km from our Bed and Breakfast. The remains of the original building are still visible in the current structure. The Abbey is located in a valley beside the river Barrow, The name ‘Duiske’ is derived from an old Irish word for ‘black water’ (dubh uisce). The Douskey river, a tributary of the river barrow, passes nearby.
The monastery was a powerful one, and the Abbot of Duiske would have sat in the parliament of the day. | |||||
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Around 1530, under the rule of King Henry the 8th (he of many wives), the monastery, like many others was shut down and began to fall into disrepair. In 1744, the tower collapsed.
Re-roofed by the Protestant Church of Ireland, it returned to the Catholic community in 1812. The restoration work, throughout the famine times, was slow and arduous. It was finally completely in the 1980’s after over 170 years! Excavated during the restoration works, an effigy of an unknown 13th century knight now guards the main entrance. | |||||
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