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Jerpoint Abbey () is a ruined Cistercian abbey, founded in the second half of the 12th century in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located 2.5 km south west of Thomastown on the R448 regional road. There is a visitor centre with an exhibition. It has been declared a national monument and has been in the care of the Office of Public Works since 1880.
Scholars believe that Domnall Mac Gilla Pátraic (d.1176), the son of Cerball Mac Gilla Pátraic was possibly the founder of Jerpoint Abbey. Jerpoint Abbey may have been in existence since the 1160s but was only formally affiliated to the Cistercian order in 1180. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Jerpoint is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory and Cistercian founder of the abbey. The abbey flourished until the dissolution of the monasteries by the English king Henry VIII.
Until c. 1310, Jerpoint housed monks of Irish descent, whereas the Cistercian monastery in Graiguenamanagh housed monks of Norman descent.
Jerpoint Abbey gives its name to the civil parish of Jerpoint Abbey or Abbey-Jerpoint in the barony of Knocktopher. It lies near the anciently corporate town of Newtown Jerpoint.
The abbey continued to flourish and owned about 14,000 acres until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. It was surrendered to the king by Oliver Grace, the last abbot. In 1541 it was leased by Philip and Mary to James Butler, the 9th Earl Earl of Ormond.Meehan, p. 359. The abbey became a favourite place of sepulture with all the great families in the surrounding country. In 1202, Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of Ossory and first abbot of Jerpoint, was interred here.
It has been declared a national monument and has been in the care of the Office of Public Works since 1880.
There is a well-proportioned, square, embattled tower. The church with its Romanesque details dates from the 12th century. In the transept chapels are 13th to 16th-century tomb sculptures. The tower and Cloister date from the 15th century. In the Abbey is the sculptured cloister arcade with unique figure carvings between the columns.De Breffny, pgs. 121-122.
Another abbot buried at Jerpoint whose effigy tomb is still well preserved and next to that of Felix is William, Bishop of Cork, also known as William of Jerpoint. His crozier, according to William Carrigan, is an exact copy of Bishop Ledrede's at St. Canice's Cathedral.
These two were the only monks from Jerpoint "ever elevated to the Episcopal dignity".
Nearby is the effigial graveslab of a layman bearing the inscription "HIC IACET THOMAS ... PROPICIETUR DEUS. A. MC•C•C• PAT. N. AC AVE".
Several tombs were carved by Callan sculptor Rory O'Tunney, such as the Walsh/ Butler tomb under the rib vaulted ceiling which he signed twice.
Another graveslab depicts an eight-pointed cross and the coats-of-arms of the Walsh family. It bears the inscription "Hic iacet edmundus uaullshe & iohana le botteler uxor eius quorumnimarum propicietur deus. Anno dni M•cccclxxvi" translating to "Hier lie Edmund Walsh & Johanna le Boteller (Butler) his wife. On whose souls God may have mercy. A.D. 1476".
A coffin-shaped slab with an incised 13th century cross which was recycled in the 16th century has faint lettering and has been identified as that of Nicholas Baron who died in 1523 after having served as the abbot for 22 years.
Several tombs bear the Tudor rose, an indication of their date.
== Gallery of tombs ==
An account in the Schools' Collection tells a story of how Cromwellian soldiers killed all the monks of the abbey. This allegedly took place longer after the dissolution of monasteries.
Another account explains the destruction by Cromwellian soldiers as the result of a misunderstanding.
Another story tells of how two local boys became priests after serving mass with an otherworldly priest at the abbey during Penal Times.
A poem in the Schools' Collection tells of a journey to Jerpoint passing several other points of interest such as Kilfane.
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