Kells Priory

Approaching Kells Priory today, with its walls and castellated towers, it looks more like a fortified settlement than a religious house. The priory was founded in 1193 for Augustinian Canons by Geoffrey fitz Robert, seneschal of Leinster. It became a wealthy establishment and by the time of its suppression by Henry VIII in 1540 it held 2,300 acres of land in Co. Kilkenny and received the tithes from 42 churches and chapels. The main priory enclosure is situated on the banks of the King’s River and contains extensive remains of the priory buildings, including the church and the domestic ranges around a square cloister to the south. The church was extended and altered many times between 1200 and 1540. Excavations in the 1970s showed how the church was embellished with decorated floor tiles, wall paintings and painted glass in the windows. The building to the north of the chancel was a Lady Chapel, while the tower attached to its south side was the residence of the prior in late medieval times. The nave had an aisle on its north side and a tall bell tower at its north-west corner, only the lower storey of which survives. The east range of the cloister had several rooms, including the community’s chapter house, while the first-floor room in the south range was a large refectory (dining hall). Around the mid 15th century the priory strengthened the precinct wall and added a large outer enclosure with a number of tower houses for the tenants of the priory on its perimeter. In medieval times a road ran through this outer enclosure. Please note that many of these monuments may be on private land and may not be publicly accessible. When setting out to visit monuments please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Access to monuments without Visitor Services may be across uneven ground which may not be suitable for everyone and, in particular, wheelchair users.