Abbeyjerpoint
or Jerpoint Abbey Civil Parish, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Abbey,
Jerpoint, a parish (anciently a corporatetown), in the barony of
KNOCKTOPHER, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER,
1 1/2 mile (W.S.W.) from Thomastown; containing 367 inhabitants.
This place
is situated on the river Nore, and derives its name from
an abbey founded here, in 1180, by Donogh O'Donoghoe, King
of Ossory, for monks of the Cistertian order, whom he removed from
a distant part of Ossory. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and
was amply endowed by the royal founder, who was interred here in 1185;
and its possessions were subsequently confirmed by John, Lord of Ireland.
In 1202, Felix O'Dullany, Bishop of Ossory, was interred
here, at whose tomb many miracles are said to have been wrought; and
the abbey became a favourite place of sepulture with all the great families
in the surrounding country.
The abbot
was a lord in parliament, but in 1395 obtained exemption from his attendance,
on the plea that his house was subject to the abbey of Baltinglass,
the abbot of which performed the parliamentary duties. The abbey continued
to flourish till its dissolution in the 31st of Hen. VIII when it was
surrendered into the king's hands by Oliver Grace, the last abbot;
and its possessions were subsequently granted by Philip and Mary to
James, Earl of Ormonde, and his heirs male, to be held in capite
at an annual rent of £49. 3. 9.
The present
ruins are very extensive, and display some fine specimens of the later
Norman passing into the early English style of architecture, but are
rapidly falling to decay through neglect and wanton injury: the most
perfect portion is a well-proportioned, square, embattled tower.
The parish
is in the diocese of Ossory, and
is a vicarage and one of the eighteen denominations, or reputed parishes,
that constitute the union of Burnchurch:
the tithes amount to £70.
In the
Roman Catholic divisions it is part of the union or district of
Thomastown.
