Athassel Priory

Athassel Priory is the sprawling remains of an Augustinian religious complex near Golden in County Tipperary. The stone buildings spread across several acres along the River Suir and display Gothic features such as pointed-arch windows and intricately carved stone details.

The monastery was founded in 1192 by William de Burgo and grew to become the largest priory in Ireland. After more than 3 centuries, it was dissolved in 1537 when King Henry VIII. ordered the closure of monasteries.

The community that lived here relied on the river as the center of daily spiritual and practical life. The layout shows how monks structured their surroundings to support their religious order.

Access to the ruins runs through a bridge and small gate lodge at the site entrance. Parking is available at the top of the access lane, from where you walk down to reach the buildings.

The grounds once held water-powered mills and fish ponds fed by channels drawn from the river. These water works show how the monastery managed its own food supply and resources.