Kells Priory
Kells Priory things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The Augustinian priory at Kells is one of the largest and most amazing monastic sites in Ireland. It looks amazing and more like a castle than a priory. However apart from a small minute car park and a few information boards on site there is hardly anything else there. I had visited Jerpoint Abbey before coming here and it was chalk and cheese in comparison to the abbey. Don't expect a visitor centre, toilets or even a decent car park. It is free but for me this site was disappointing as it is has the potential to be a world class location. Along with Ireland's other abbeys and religious sites I am sure that they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site contender? Anyway, well worth a visit but deserves to be much better...
david howellsdavid howells
10
Kells Priory is a rambling monastic site with ruins that's within a 20 minute drive from Jerpoint Abbey and about 1 hour from Kilkenny. Easy to get to although you do have to approach the priory through the field with the her of sheep in it before you get to the sheep hate that you go over to see the grounds inside the walls. Step carefully as there are A LOT of sheep droppings. Ruins are very cool and the compound is quite large. Very cool visit and definitely worth a stop if you're already planning to go to other nearby historical sites.
Millie KwanMillie Kwan
00
This is a beautiful site that I would definitely recommend stopping at. We drove here while staying in Kilkenny, which only took us about 15 minutes from town on a scenic country road. We visited the priory on a Sunday afternoon and had the whole place to ourselves (with the exception of the sheep!) which made for a peaceful visit. If using Google Maps I would recommend setting the destination as the Kells Priory car park instead of the priory itself which will make it easier.
EJB 3EJB 3
60
Fabulous place to pass an hour with the family. Even on a Sunday afternoon, we had the place pretty much to ourselves. A huge amount of the priory still exists. Children could go exploring while we strolled through at our leisure. But to get to it, you must walk across a field. When we finished looking around, we carried on down by the river and back through the village on the loop walk. Very nice and relaxing stroll. It's worth stopping for a coffee on the way.
Van ManVan Man
10
Only for a pre-booked tour with Tuatha I never knew this place existed. I was privileged to have the guide of Christiaan Corlett who delved into what life was like at the priory once upon a time. Walking down from the original medieval road connecting Waterford to Kilkenny was an instant win and the rest of the tour was filled with lots of wow moments. I will be back to explore it some more as time was not available for me to stay on after my tour.
Grá Ní BhroinGrá Ní Bhroin
00
We loved Kells Priory. We went in the evening in mid July and there were only a few people there. We were greeted by a few sheep as we walked across the pastor to the priory. There were a few informative signs that we appreciated reading. It's a great place to get away from the crowds, stretch your legs and walk through medieval history, and it's free to visit!
Andrea AddingtonAndrea Addington
10
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Priory Grove, Kellsborough, Kells, Co. Kilkenny, R95 V184, Ireland
Map
Website
heritageireland.ie
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(204 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
Kells Priory is one of the largest medieval monuments in Ireland. The Augustine priory is situated alongside King's River beside the village of Kells in the townland of Rathduff, about 15 km south of the medieval city of Kilkenny.
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