Situated in County Wexford, and overlooking the south coast of Republic of Ireland, the ancient Tintern Abbey stands on the edge of a small area of woodland on the crystalline waters of the Barrow Bay inlet. Surrounded by lush greenery, this Cistercian abbey was built at the turn of the 13th Century by the then Earl of Pembroke, who swore to build an abbey here after his boat was caught in a storm off the nearby coast. Named after Tintern Abbey in Wales, County Wexford’s abbey is now in ruins.
For many centuries, Tintern Abbey was home to Cistercian monks. However, after the monasteries were dissolved, the building passed into the hands of one of Henry VIII’s top soldiers in the 16th Century. It remained in the Colclough family for 400 years, until it was eventually donated to the Irish nation in the 1960s.
Just north of the small coastal village of Saltmills on the Wexford Peninsula, Tintern Abbey is open to visitors every day from April to August each year, between 10am and 5pm. Guided tours are available and take around 40 minutes, although if you’re coming with a large group or at a busy time of year you may wish to book in advance.
Tintern Abbey is just a short drive from Wexford – less than 20 miles via the R733 road. The remains of the abbey now make a charming spot for a photo opportunity, so do be sure to bring your camera.
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