Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Kells Priory
-
Just outside of Kells township.
R95 V184
-
Free.
There is a large paved car park just off the main road nearest the abandoned church.
-
Admission is free.
The property is enclosed by a wall with seven towers. You can either access the interior by parking in the car lot above and walking through the sheep pasture or you can park in town and take the scenic walk along the water and past the mills.
-
Pros: We were literally the only people on site.
Cons: The buildings are extremely dilapidated.
The only structures still standing are locked.
There is no signage or information about the site.
History
Kells Priory has an interesting story. While it wasn’t the best site I visited, it was very unique and definitely worth a stop.
Kells is a huge property, just over three acres, and the largest enclosed monastic site in Ireland. The priory was established in 1193 on the site of a former church, the details of which are unknown. The defensive wall and towers, dubbed the “Seven Castles” weren’t added until the 1300’s following three attacks and subsequent burnings of the monastery.
Interestingly, Kells is the scene of Ireland’s first witch trial in which Petronilla de Meath was burned at the stake for heresy. Kells Priory would eventually be dissolved and handed over to James Butler in 1540.
