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Monastery · Cashel, Tipperary
Hore Abbey
Ruins of a Cistercian monastery founded in 1272 in a field just below the Rock of Cashel, with the church, the tower and the view of the Rock high on the hill.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Hore Abbey
Hore Abbey was founded in 1272 by the Archbishop of Cashel, David MacCarvill, who handed the Benedictine abbey that stood there over to the Cistercian monks. It lies in a flat field about 1 km west of the Rock of Cashel, and was the last Cistercian monastery founded in medieval Ireland. It was closed in the 16th century during the suppression of the monasteries.
What remains are the stone ruins of the church, with the nave, transept and the central tower, added in the 15th century, as well as remains of the cloister and the monks' buildings. The walls are roofless, and livestock sometimes graze in the surrounding field.
The main attraction is the view: from the abbey side, the Rock of Cashel appears in full on top of the hill, with the round tower, the cathedral and Cormac's Chapel silhouetted against the sky. Many of the well-known photos of the Rock are taken from here.
The abbey has no gatehouse or opening hours, and access is across the field via a short path from the road. The ground can become wet and muddy after rain.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 30 minutes, plus the walk from the Rock.
Best time
In the late afternoon, with low light on the Rock, or at any time during the day. After rain the field becomes muddy.
How to get there
It's about 1 km west of the Rock of Cashel. On foot, walk down the trail beside the Rock's car park and follow the road to the abbey field, about 15 minutes.
Tip
Go after visiting the Rock and turn around in the middle of the field: it's the most famous view of the complex. Wear footwear that can handle mud.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hore Abbey
Do you have to pay to visit Hore Abbey?
The abbey is in an open field, with no gatehouse or opening hours, and is visited freely.
Is it far from the Rock of Cashel?
About 1 km to the west, roughly a 15-minute walk along a path and road.
When was it founded?
In 1272, as a Cistercian monastery, and closed in the 16th century during the suppression of the monasteries.