Tipperary Libraries - High visibility version

Local Studies

Stáidéar Áitiúil

Historical Postcard Collection: Tipperary - Athassel Abbey

Bailiúchán Chártaí Poist Stairiúla: Tiobraid Árann – Mainistir Áth Íseal

Atashall AbbeySituated a short distance south of Golden, Athassel Abbey, built in the 12th Century, was the most impressive achievement of the Augustinians. One of the country's most extensive monasteries, its courts cover nearly four acres. The church is dedicated to St. Edmund, King and Martyr. It was founded by William Fitz-Aldhelm de Burgho, who established the Burke dynasty that became very influential in Co. Tipperary and beyond over the following two hundred years.

Following the death of Strongbow, Henry II wished to pursue a more peaceful policy in his governance of Ireland. In 1176 he sent his kinsman, the aforementioned William de Burgho, to govern in his name, and he charged him with replacing the harsh diplomacy of the sword with the serenity of religion. The Priory at Athassel was quickly established by William, and the years that followed saw the Abbey flourish into a centre of great spiritual and political importance.

The Structure

The Church is over 200 feet in length, and the building was altered and renovated over the course of three hundred years, roughly from 1200 to 1500. The nave had vaulted aisles supported by columns, and at the crossing of the building was built a tower. Two side chapels were placed in each transept, and all around the walls are groups of tall, slender lancet windows. Entrance to the choir is gained through a splendid 13th Century doorway, which was originally richly decorated with marble moulding. Interior decoration of the church elsewhere is quite plain, however, in comparison to more elaborate, contemporary, local buildings, such as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dominic's Abbey, both in Cashel, and Holycross Abbey. To the south of the nave was the cloister, and the usual associated buildings that one finds in a significant monastery: refectory, parlour, sacristy, chapter house and infirmary. The Abbey was well defended by a surrounding wall and gatehouse, complete with portcullis, which was accessed by a bridge.

The Abbey was twice burned, first in 1329 by Brian, King of Thomond, and again in 1581, by John Fitzgerald of Desmond. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th Century the property was granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond. The buildings were subsequently neglected and fell into ruin, and are now in the care of the Office of Public Works. The nave of the Abbey is today used as a cemetery, and among the many bodies laid to rest in the chapel is that of William de Burgho, the man who established Athassel over 800 years ago.

Sources – Leask, "Irish Churches & Monastic Buildings, Vol.2"; McCraith, "Athassel Priory and its Patrons", The New Ireland Review, 1910; "Athassel Abbey", The Commissioners of Public Works

Read more about:

 

Browse the Historical Postcard Collection:

Clonmel - Nenagh - Tipperary - Roscrea - Templemore - Carrick on Suir - Cashel - Cahir - Thurles - The Glen of Aherlow

last updated on: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST

Mainistir Áth ÍsealBeagán ó dheas ón nGabhailín, ba é Mainistir Áth Íseal, a tógadh sa 12ú hAois, an éacht ba mhó a rinne na hAgaistínigh. Ar cheann de na mainistreacha ba mhó sa tír, chlúdaigh a cúirteanna beagnach ceithre acra. Tá an séipéal tiomnaithe i ndiaidh Éamann Naofa, Rí agus Mairtíreach. Bhunaigh William Fitz-Aldhelm de Burgho, a bhunaigh ríshliocht na mBurcach a d’éirigh an-chumhachtach i dTiobraid Árann agus timpeall sa dhá chéad bliain a lean.
Tar éis do Strongbow bás a fháil, bhí Anraí II ag iarraidh polasaí níos síochánda a leanúint in Éirinn. Sa bhliain 1176 sheol sé fear muinteartha leis, an William de Burgho thuasluaite, chun rialú ina ainm, é mar aidhm aige síochán reiligiúnda a chuir in áit taidhleoireacht an chlaímh. Bunaíodh an Prióireacht ag Áth Íseal gan mhoill, agus d’fhás an Mhainistir sna blianta a lean, go dtí go raibh sí ina lárionad spioradálta agus polaitiúil.
An Struchtúr
Tá an séipéal os cionn 200 troithe i bhfad, agus déanadh áthchóiriú ar an bhfoirgneamh thar 300 bliain, ó 1200 go 1500. Bhí pasáistí luscacha i gcorp na heaglaise, iad tacaithe ag colúin, agus ag trasnú an fhoirgnimh bhí túr. Bhí dhá séipéilín i ngach croslann, agus tá grúpaí d’fhuinneoga caola ar fud na mballaí. Téitear isteach sa chóir trí dhoras suntsasach 13ú hAois, a mbíodh múnlú marmair air tráth. Níl an taobh istigh den séipéal chomh gairéadach le foirgnimh áitiúla chomhaimseartha, ar nós Árdeaglais Phádraig agus Mainistir Doiminic i gCaiseal, agus Mainistir na Croiche. Ó dheas ón gcorp, bhí an clabhstra, agus na gnáthfhoirgnimh a faightí i mainistir mhór: proinnteach, parlús, sacraistí, teach caibidle agus otharlann. Bhí an Mhainistir cosanta taobh thiar de bhall agus teach geata le geata crochta, le rochtaibneacht ó dhroichead amháin.
Dódh an Mhainistir faoi dhó, sa bhliain 1329 rinne Brian, Rí Thuamhumhan é; an dara huair, i 1581, Eoin Mac Gearailt Deasumhan a bhí ann. I ndiaidh díscaoileadh na mainistreacha sa 16ú hAois, tugadh na tailte do Thomás, Iarla Urmhumhan. Thit na foirgnimh as úsáid agus tá siad ina n-ársaí anois. Tá siad faoi chúram Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí. Úsáidtear corp eaglaise na Mainistreach mar reilg inniu, agus curtha sa séipéal tá William de Burgho, a bhunaigh Áth Íseal os cionn 800 bliain ó shin.
Foinsí – Leask, "Irish Churches & Monastic Buildings, Vol.2"; McCraith, "Athassel Priory and its Patrons", The New Ireland Review, 1910; "Athassel Abbey", The Commissioners of Public Works

Léigh níos mó faoi:

 

Brabhsáil an bailiúchán chártaí poist stairiúla:

Cluain Meala - Nenagh - Tipperary - Roscrea - Templemore - Carrick on Suir - Cashel - Cahir - Thurles - Gleann Eatharlaí

nuashonraithe ar: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST