Duiske Abbey
A 13th-century Cistercian abbey on the River Barrow in Graiguenamanagh, restored and still in use as a parish church.
Duiske Abbey was founded in 1204 and was once one of Ireland's largest Cistercian abbeys. After its tower collapsed in the 18th century, it was neglected for a long time, until local residents restored it in the 1970s. It is now a rare medieval abbey church that is still in use. Inside are medieval knight effigies, a Romanesque doorway and modern stained glass. Graiguenamanagh is a small town on the River Barrow, where you can walk the towpath and go boating. It is about 30 km from Kilkenny. Admission is free.
Opening hours
Open daytime daily (except during services)
Nearby sights
- Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
- Inistioge
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Jerpoint Park (Newtown Jerpoint)
- Brownshill Dolmen
- Kells Priory
- Kilkenny Castle
- Kilkenny Design Centre & National Design and Craft Gallery