Grangefertagh, Monastery ruins in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
Grangefertagh is a monastery site in County Kilkenny featuring a distinctive round tower and the remains of a medieval church. The tower contains multiple window openings and the site preserves traces of the original monastic layout with its ecclesiastical structures.
The monastery was founded in the sixth century as a monastic community and later became a significant religious center. In 861, it was the site of a military confrontation where local forces defeated a major assault on the settlement.
The monastery church holds an ornate 16th century tomb with carved stone figures of a local king and his wife, representing the connection between religious authority and secular power in the region. These sculpted effigies reflect how the site served as a place of spiritual importance for the ruling families of the time.
The site is accessible to visitors who can walk around the ruins and examine the medieval stonework up close. Visit during daylight hours to best appreciate the architectural details of the tower and surrounding structures.
Throughout history, local people removed stones from the tower doorway believing they possessed healing and protective powers. This practice of stone-taking gradually altered the appearance of the tower's entrance over the centuries.
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