Roger Stalley considers the history and architecture of Ireland’s largest medieval priory, Athassel, County Tipperary
On the banks of the River Suir, a few miles south of the village of Golden, Co Tipperary, lie the spectacular ruins of the medieval priory of Athassel (Fig 1). Set in a gentle valley, well away from the frenzy of modern life, this is a tranquil and inspiring place, one that readily lends itself to thoughts of the past and the passage of time. The priory was initially constructed during the 13th century and its buildings contain many features typical of the early Gothic style. While it was erected in an era of relative prosperity, the later years of the priory were far more tumultuous and, at times, violent. After 450 years of religious life, the decaying buildings were eventually taken over and converted into a fortified house, before that too was abandoned and left to ruin.
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