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All Ireland Kilkenny Kells Priory

Kells Priory

These imposing walls and towers look more like the ruins of a fortress than a monastery.

Kilkenny, Ireland

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Dawne Morris
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Inside the ruins of the old priory.   Andreas F. Borchert/cc by-sa 3.0
Kells Priory.   dmm / Atlas Obscura User
Kells Priory.   dmm / Atlas Obscura User
A view of the seven towers.   Dave Henderson/cc by-sa 2.0
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  clboru / Atlas Obscura User
Kells Priory.   dmm / Atlas Obscura User
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The ruins.   Chris Brooks/cc by-nd 2.0
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About

With their imposing walls and seven stoic towers, these ruins look like they belong to a long-lost fortress rather than a priory. Itโ€™s easy to imagine that it was nobles and knights, not monks, who once strolled within the walls of what locals have nicknamed the โ€œSeven Castles.โ€

But these ruins did indeed belong to a monastery. The Augustinian priory was founded in 1193. Its stone walls wrap around a lush three-acre patch of earth along the Kingโ€™s River.

The priory weathered centuries of turbulence. It was burned down three times durings its first 150 years, and itโ€™s believed the intimidating towers were built as a result of the fiery attacks it suffered. Fortunately, these fires didnโ€™t destroy some of the landโ€™s older treasures. A ninth-century Celtic cross stands proudly within the ruins, which is said to guard the burial place of Niall Caille, a High King of Ireland.

The priory was shuttered as part of the 16th-century Dissolution of the Monasteries. Now, its only visitors are curious tourists and many, many sheep. If youโ€™re lucky and visit on a good day, you can meet the local historian, who may open one of the towers and allow you to climb to the top. While up there, youโ€™ll have serene 360-degree views of the area, which will let you spot a quaint stream with a bridge.

Related Tags

Monks Ruins Archaeology Towers Medieval Monuments Celtic

Know Before You Go

The GPS coordinates lead to the parking lot.

This a free National Monument site with parking. Please respect the land that surrounds it. And watch out for the sheep droppings!

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dmm

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clboru, Kerry Wolfe, Collector of Experiences

  • clboru
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

July 13, 2018

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Sources
  • https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kells_Priory
  • http://visitkilkenny.ie/kells_priory
  • https://www.ireland.com/what-is-available/attractions-built-heritage/museums-and-attractions/destinations/republic-of-ireland/kilkenny/kells/all/1-11172/
  • https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article14677484.html
Kells Priory
Kells
Kilkenny
Ireland
52.536596, -7.268028

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