Location: Thurles, County Tipperary Map
Tel. 0504 43124
Open: 9am- 8pm daily
Official site
Holy Cross Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery situated near
Thurles in a County Tipperary of Ireland. The name of Holy Cross
Abbey is given due to a revered relic of a piece of True Cross that
was given by Queen Isabella of Angouleme, widow of King John. She
thanked the monks for showing kindness by burring her son who was
killed in the area in 1233. Piece of true cross was adorned by gold
and precious stones. For several centuries many believers came to
the Holy Cross Abbey for pilgrimage.
Reformation of Henry VIII and subsequent closure of many monasteries
in the area did not pass Holy Cross Abbey. The monastery was
disbanded. Several people lived here, but after Cromwellian War in
the 17th century it was completely abandoned. Its only purpose was
only to bury local people at the monastery cemetery. In 1880 Holy
Cross Abbey was declared a national monument, but in 1969 this
religious complex was transferred back to its rightful owners- the
Catholic Church. Today Holy Cross Abbey is a religious complex of
Catholic worship.
The cross-shaped church stands out due to its unusual windows to the West and East as well as to the Southern Cross House. The main ship belongs to the transition style. The Southern Cross House has two Eastern chapels, one with a remarkable vault, separated by a passage, the roof of which is carried by two twisted columns, and possibly was the site of the cross relic. Also the North Cross house with weak traces of a painting has two Eastern chapels. As with most Cistercian monasteries in Ireland, the vation has a square tower. The plastic design of the choir is well preserved thanks to the durability of the local limestone. The choir also houses a monument from the 14th century, called "Tomb of the Good Woman's Son". The monastery is located south of the church, with Cellarium and dormitory in the West and sacristy, chapter Hall and parlor in the East.