Graveyard in Holycross

Situated on the W bank of the River Suir in undulating countryside. A Cistercian abbey (TN047-030001) founded in 1180 possibly on the site of an earlier Benedictine abbey founded by Donal O'Brien, King of Limerick in 1169 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 134). In 1563 the abbey was granted to Gerald Earl of Ormond (ibid., 134). In the early to mid-seventeenth century an attempt was made to revive the Cistercian community but this was eventually suppressed by the Cromwellians (Stalley 1987, 29). The last professed monk from Holycross died in 1752 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 135). The importance of the abbey was based on its acquisition of a fragment of the true cross which it is said was given to Muirchertach O'Brien c. 1110 by Pope Paschal II (ibid.). Holycross was granted a charter in 1185-6 by its founder Domhnall Ua Briain, King of Limerick (Stalley 1987, 245). The present remains of this well-preserved multi-period abbey, with the abbey well to the E (TN047-030004), consist of a nave and chancel church with two chapels in each transept, a low crossing-tower with a barrel-vaulted sacristy and a small chapterhouse in the E range of buildings. There is a well-preserved cloister walk with a partially rebuilt cloister arcade to the S of the abbey with the domestic buildings in the W range and other buildings in the E range commonly referred to as the infirmary, the abbot's lodgings or the guesthouse (ibid., 245-6). Large graveyard containing 18th and 19th century memorials located to the N and W of the abbey(TN047-030001). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 22 September 2008