Discover Holycross: Abbey, River and Medieval History

Holycross brings together the River Suir, a medieval bridge and a restored Cistercian abbey. The village, its history and its religious artworks give your trip a clear cultural focus. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether Holycross itself, with its riverside setting and medieval heritage, should be the main focus of your stay.

Holycross on the River Suir

Holycross Village lies on the banks of the River Suir, 6.5 km southwest of Thurles. An old medieval bridge dating from 1424 spans the river. These specific features help locate Holycross geographically: it lies by the water and can also be identified by its distance and direction from Thurles.

Monastic history and art at Holycross Abbey

Holycross Abbey is a restored medieval Cistercian monastery on the banks of the River Suir. It was founded in 1182 AD. Among its notable artworks is one of the few surviving medieval frescoes in Ireland, which the abbey houses. The sedilia and the Waking Bier are also part of the Cistercian art at Holycross Abbey. These names give culturally minded travellers specific subjects to explore as they learn about the monastery and its art.

The abbey also preserves a relic of the True Cross, which has been kept there for centuries and attracts pilgrims. Alongside its architectural and artistic history, the abbey therefore has religious significance, which may interest pilgrims as well as visitors interested in the history of medieval monasteries. If you want to focus your stay primarily on culture, Holycross offers several distinct points of interest: the fresco and monastic art, the abbey’s foundation history, and the tradition surrounding the relic.

There is an important restriction on visiting the Infirmary Building at Holycross Abbey: it is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works. It can only be viewed from the outside; entry to the interior is not permitted. If you include this building in your exploration, viewing it from the outside is therefore the only possible way to visit it.

The village and the round tower offer different experiences

Guided tours of Holycross village are offered when a guide is available. This condition is important when planning: a village tour is an option if a guide is available. You can therefore weigh up exploring the local and monastic subjects mentioned above on your own against taking a guided tour of the village, without assuming that one will always be available.

Farney Castle offers a distinct historical highlight. The present-day round tower was built in 1495 by Thomas Butler, the 7th Earl of Ormond. Farney Castle is the only round tower in Ireland used as a family home. Tours of the castle are available by appointment. This differs from the tours of Holycross Village, which are offered only when a guide is available: an appointment is the stated requirement for Farney Castle.

Farney Castle also offers traditional crafts: handmade knitwear and fine porcelain are made there and sold in the castle shop. If you are interested in crafts and design, you can consider this alongside the history of the round tower. When looking for a holiday rental in Holycross, the village’s riverside setting and cultural history are the main attractions; the tour options and castle shop at Farney Castle offer a separate area of interest.

More places to discover: Silvermines, Borrisoleigh, Carrig, Terryglass, Upperchurch, Templemore, Lorrha, Thurles.

For the wider travel overview: North Tipperary.