Holy Cross Abbey

Holy Cross Abbey in County Tipperary is one of the true ecclesiastical jewels in all of Ireland. It was founded by the Cistercians after a donation by Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond, in 1182, and the charter he granted to the Cistercians survives to this day. The O’Brien dynasty were strong supporters of church reform during the 12th century, and their loyalty to Rome was rewarded when Pope Paschal II presented with a fragment of the True Cross to Muirchertach O’Brien in 1110. This was a powerful relic, believed to be a splinter of the very cross on which Jesus was crucified. Its presence in the abbey would have attracted thousands of pilgrims, making it an extremely wealthy institution. At one point in history, Holy Cross Abbey housed at least two, if not three, relics of the True Cross.

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Holy Cross Abbey Tipperary

Holy Cross Abbey • Tipperary

The Architecture of Holy Cross Abbey

The Night Stairs in Holy Cross Abbey Tipperary

The Night Stairs • Holy Cross Abbey

The nave of the church is the oldest surviving part of the abbey, and it reflects the simple architectural tastes of the Cistercian order. Under the patronage of the Butlers of Ormond, the abbey underwent a major restoration in the 15th century, and most of its outstanding architectural features date from this period.

The ribbed stone vaulting over the transept and chancel is a marvel of stonework and bears numerous marks of the masons who carved it. The elaborate sedilia, seating places for the abbot and his deacons have been referred to as the most outstanding piece of medieval church furniture in Ireland. On the west wall of the north transept there is a mural depicting a hunting scene, an unusually secular scene within a church. Other architectural highlights of this spectacular site include ‘the waking monk’s bier’, the east window, rose window, night stairs (which connected the monks’ dormitory to the church), chapterhouse door and cloister.

The last Cistercian monk in Holy Cross died in the 1730s and the abbey, already in a state of disrepair, fell into ruin. In the late 1960s a major initiative to bring Holy Cross back to life as a place of worship began. Led by local priest Willie Hayes, and with the support of Archbishop Thomas Morris and the OPW, careful restoration and conservation work began in 1970, taking over five years to complete. On the traditional parish feast day of Michaelmas, 25 September 1975, the abbey was consecrated and Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross once more.

Today it still serves the local community as a place of worship. And this atmospheric, architectural gem is a reminder of the power and patronage of the Kings of Thomond.

The Night Stairs in Holy Cross Abbey

The Night Stairs • Holy Cross Abbey

Interior of Holy Cross Abbey
Ornate sedile in Holy Cross Abbey
A medieval mural of a hunting scene in Holy Cross Abbey Tipperary

Upper left: the interior of the nave • Lower left: a medieval mural depicting a hunting scene • Right: an ornate sedile

Top: the interior of the nave • Middle: a medieval mural depicting a hunting scene • Bottom: an ornate sedile

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Holy Cross Abbey Visitor Information

Holy Cross Abbey in County Tipperary is one of the true ecclesiastical jewels in all of Ireland.

  • Co-ordinates:
    Lat. 52.639291, Long: -7.868287

  • Irish Grid Reference:
    S 08894 54235

  • Opening Times:
    Open all year round. Holy Cross Abbey is open for private visit and prayer from 9am to 6pm daily. Please note that this is an active place of worship, and take care not to disrupt any mass or private prayer. Every Sunday, between March and September, you can enjoy a guided tour of the abbey at 2.30pm. The tour begins in the cloister area, and bookings should be made in advance. See their website for more details here, or the OPW website.

  • Entry Fee:
    Free, though donations are most welcome. The tour has a suggested donation of €5.

  • Accessibility:
    The abbey is partially accessible for wheelchair users, though there are some changes of level and steps to negotiate. There are accessible toilets, though if you have particular requirements it is better to contact the abbey ahead of your visit. You can find their details here.

  • Dog Friendly?
    No dogs allowed.

  • Suitable for Young Children (Under 10)?
    As it is an active place of worship it isn’t ideal for little children, especially when mass goers are present. Though older children might enjoy trying to spot all the unusual little sculptural and decorative elements – like the owl, the knight, the queen and the king.

  • Directions to Holy Cross Abbey:
    Holy Cross Abbey is easy to locate in the village of Holycross. Travelling from Dublin or Cork, leave the M8 motorway at Junction 6 and follow the N62 to Thurles. After 1km, turn left onto the R660 and follow this road for 4km. At the T-junction, turn right onto the R659 and continue to Holycross Village. The abbey is just after the bridge with decent areas to park. It’s not too far (15km) from the famous Rock of Cashel, so making a trip to explore the medieval marvels of Tipperary may well be a rewarding day!

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