CHAS is planning a day trip on Saturday 10th September to Tipperary . The tour will involve guided tours of the Medieval Town of Fethard and the historically significant Kilcooley Abbey.

Fethard,  described as the finest example of a medieval walled town in Ireland and hasFethard
town walls dating from the 13th century, an extant town gate (North Gate), the 800 years old Holy Trinity Church, one of Ireland’s finest medieval parish churches and Fethard Town Hall which dates from about 1600. Fethard also has several fortified townhouses – including Edmond’s Castle and Court Castle – dating from the 15th century. Finally there are the Sheela-na-gigs, located at the abbey in a section of the old town wall at Watergate Street.

KilcooleyKilcooley Abbey dates from  1182 and is a hidden gem located inside a private walled estate in Tipperary. Used in the making of the film “Excalibur”, Kilcooley Abbey is a fascinating and historical significant example of a Cistercian abbey. The Abbey has a number of interesting features including the two large carved windows on the east and west side of the Church, the chancel with two stone tombs and a stone altar and the Sacristy with a carved archway with many carvings. One of these tombs in the chancel is of the Piers Fitz Oge Butler. He died in 1526 and the tomb has carvings of 10 apostles on the side of it by Rory O Tunney. Outside the abbey there is a beehive shaped ruin (probably a dove-cote) and the Infirmary. Also remaining are the Monks Dining Hall, the Monks Dormitories and the Main Tower, as well as the Parlour, Chapter House, and Calefactory.

The trip leaves Carlow at 9.30am and will return at 6pm. Cost is €25 per head, please note that lunch is not included in the price.  Timetable as follows:

9.30 Leave Carlow

11.00 Arrive Fethard

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Leave for Kilcooley

14.45 – 16.30 Kilcooley Abbey Tour

18.00 Arrive Carlow

Please send expressions of interest in going on this exciting and interesting trip by email to carlowhistorical@gmail.com or to John Kelly 087 9080277 by 31st July.

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