Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in County Wexford featuring stone walls and Gothic arches positioned along the Hook Peninsula. The ruins include the church, a residential tower, and various service buildings arranged around a central courtyard.

William Marshal founded the monastery in 1200 after surviving a perilous sea storm on his journey. He brought monks from the Welsh Tintern Abbey to establish this new religious community.

The layout reveals how Cistercian monks organized their daily life around prayer, work, and communal spaces within the monastery walls. The arrangement of stone buildings around the cloister shows the structure and rhythm they followed each day.

The grounds are open year-round and visitors can explore the restored sections of the monastery at their own pace. Walking paths through the surrounding woodland and gardens help you understand how the site sits within the landscape.

The name Tintern de Voto comes from William Marshal's vow made during the sea storm, which he fulfilled by founding the monastery. This direct link between a personal rescue and the creation of a religious community shapes the site's identity.

Location: County Wexford

Inception: 13 century

Architectural style: Cistercian architecture

GPS coordinates: 52.23703,-6.83783

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48