Location: 8 km (5 mi ) West of Coshel, County Tipperary Map
Open: daily
The Athassel Priory (Irish Áth Iseal, "low ford")
is the most extensive and oldest monastery complex in the Republic
of Ireland. It is located in County Tipperary, off the tourist
routes, but is to be developed for tourism.
The Augustinian
Canons Regular monastery was founded by William fitzAdelm de Burgo
in the late 12th century. The buildings date almost exclusively from
the 13th century and have only been slightly altered during later
repairs. In 1319 and 1329 Irish troops destroyed the monastery
because the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family supported the monks.
However, the reconstruction did not lead to major changes. However,
further destruction in 1447 led to the decline of the monastery, as
apparently the roof of the church was not rebuilt.
Structure
and arrangement of the monastery buildings are committed to the
style of the Cistercian monasteries. This is particularly evident in
the rectangular choir, the chapter room, the transept chapels and
the dormitory with dormitory stairs. A finely crafted portal to the
south refectory is well preserved. The cloister, however, has been
largely destroyed and the once thriving urban settlement in front of
the monastery has also disappeared.
In 2004, the 800-year-old
monastery complex was added to the World Monuments Fund's list of
the 100 most endangered cultural monuments. From 2009,
substance-preserving renovation measures will take place.