Thomastown
Discover the hidden stories and ancient magic of this remarkable place.
About Thomastown
Thomastown is a charming market town on the River Nore, serving as the gateway to some of Kilkenny's most important medieval sites. The town itself retains much of its medieval layout, with narrow streets and fragments of the old town walls still visible.
Just outside town lies Jerpoint Abbey, one of the finest Cistercian ruins in Ireland, and Jerpoint Park, where the lost medieval town of Newtown Jerpoint awaits discovery.
Historical Background
Named after Thomas FitzAnthony, the Norman seneschal of Leinster who founded it around 1200, Thomastown quickly grew into a prosperous walled town. Jerpoint Abbey, founded in 1158, became one of the most influential Cistercian monasteries in Ireland. The abbey's carved cloister arcade is considered a masterpiece of medieval Irish sculpture. Nearby, the lost town of Newtown Jerpoint was abandoned after the Black Death in 1348, and its ruins – including a fortified church and tower houses – remain remarkably preserved.
Folklore & Legends
"Jerpoint Abbey is said to house the remains of St. Nicholas – yes, the original Santa Claus. According to local tradition, two knights from the abbey brought his bones from Myra during the Crusades. The lost town of Newtown Jerpoint is shrouded in mystery – locals say that on certain nights, you can hear the bells of the abandoned church ringing, and see lights flickering among the ruins."