The Lost Cloister of Inistioge

Not much remains upstanding and in its original location of Inistioge Priory, a former Augustinian priory founded by Thomas FitzAnthony of Thomastown around 1210. The cloister built under Prior (and Bishop of Ossory) Milo Barron in the early 1500s was demolished after the dissolution of monasteries some time after 1540, but traces remain throughout the village - and maybe beyond.
The priory was dedicated to St Columcille and St Mary, and one of the functions of the cloister was to facilitate processions on religious holidays such as the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. In our mind’s eye, we can imagine the Augustinian canons solemnly celebrating on that very day.

This walk and talk is part of the weekly outings by the Saturday Morning Walkers from Kilkenny, usually under the trusted lead of Paddy Neary. This Saturday, Anne-Karoline Distel will guide participants tracing the cloister fragments throughout the former walled town of Inistioge.
The group usually meets for car pooling at Woodies carpark (near the EV chargers) at 10a.m., and then makes their way to the final destination. We will start the walk at the Rower Inistioge G.A.A. car park in Inistioge at 11.00 a.m.

Public toilets and options to purchase tea/ coffee/ scones afterwards are available in the village.

Bring an empty bottle, if you want to collect water from Columcille's Well along the way.