South East Ireland Tourism
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Inistioge, Kilkenny
Inistioge, Kilkenny
Inistioge is a charming village with a tree-lined square, lying in a pretty part of the Nore valley where the river winds between wooded blanketed hills. An Augustinian priory was founded here in 1210 by Thomas FitzAnthony Walsh, Anglo-Norman Seneschal (or Governor) of Leinster in the 13th century for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. The nave, tower and adjoining Lady Chapel remain.
The Tighe family played a vital role in the establishment of this townland. Some monuments of the Tighe family are in the above-mentioned tower, including an effigy of Mrs Mary Tighe, authoress of "Psyche", who died in 1810.
The Church of Ireland church of St. Mary occupies the site of the above-mentioned priory church. The early 16th century tower is incorporated in the present church. The ruin of the Black Castle is the only part of the complex that dates back to the 13th century. Inside St. Mary’s is a floor slab commemorating the first prior, Alured, a 12th century font of Somerset stone and an 8-point raised cross to William Bosser (1650).
There are some early 17th century tombstones in the churchyard. Mediaeval fragments from the cloister arcade are incorporated into the perimeter walls of the adjacent Roman Catholic Church.
In the Village Square Lady Louise Tighe erected the handsome fountain in 1879 to the memory of her husband William. Near it is an obelisk to David Fitzgerald, known as Baron of Brownsford, who died in 1621.
On the east side of the square is a pub, with attached private residence, that was built in the 1780’s by Sarah Fownes Tighe. This was originally an almshouse for local widows. The old castellated house on the west side of the Village Square was originally a merchant’s house, possibly dating back to the 14th century.
A visit to Woodstock can be incorporated into the Mount Sandford Walk, starting at the base of the steep hill in the Village Green. As the road ascends, some lime trees on the high ground to the rear of the houses conceal the original motte, built by the Normans at the head of the navigable river in 1169. The views from the gates of Woodstock, looking back over the river valley and village are truly magnificent.
Near Ladies Walk in the Woodstock Estate is the remains of Mount Sandford “Castle”, a folly built in 1769 from where spectacular views of the village can be enjoyed. Ladies Walk leads to an exit gate in the estate wall. Just outside the gate is an impressive stand of Californian Redwoods.
*The Film Circle of Friends and Widow's Peak were made in the village in 1993 and 1994.
<< Return to Kilkenny page
The Tighe family played a vital role in the establishment of this townland. Some monuments of the Tighe family are in the above-mentioned tower, including an effigy of Mrs Mary Tighe, authoress of "Psyche", who died in 1810.
What to see and do in Inistioge
Inistioge has the location, the beauty, and the history to ensure its popularity with visitors. The former home of the Tighe family, Woodstock House, is in a wooded demesne south of the village. Built in the 18th century for Sir William Fownes, the house and demesne came into the hands of the Tighes when Sir William’s daughter married William Tighe (1766 – 1816). The Tighes lived at the house until 1922, when the house was damaged by fire. Woodstock Demesne is now under the care of Coillte – the Irish Forestry Board.The Church of Ireland church of St. Mary occupies the site of the above-mentioned priory church. The early 16th century tower is incorporated in the present church. The ruin of the Black Castle is the only part of the complex that dates back to the 13th century. Inside St. Mary’s is a floor slab commemorating the first prior, Alured, a 12th century font of Somerset stone and an 8-point raised cross to William Bosser (1650).
There are some early 17th century tombstones in the churchyard. Mediaeval fragments from the cloister arcade are incorporated into the perimeter walls of the adjacent Roman Catholic Church.
In the Village Square Lady Louise Tighe erected the handsome fountain in 1879 to the memory of her husband William. Near it is an obelisk to David Fitzgerald, known as Baron of Brownsford, who died in 1621.
On the east side of the square is a pub, with attached private residence, that was built in the 1780’s by Sarah Fownes Tighe. This was originally an almshouse for local widows. The old castellated house on the west side of the Village Square was originally a merchant’s house, possibly dating back to the 14th century.
A visit to Woodstock can be incorporated into the Mount Sandford Walk, starting at the base of the steep hill in the Village Green. As the road ascends, some lime trees on the high ground to the rear of the houses conceal the original motte, built by the Normans at the head of the navigable river in 1169. The views from the gates of Woodstock, looking back over the river valley and village are truly magnificent.
Near Ladies Walk in the Woodstock Estate is the remains of Mount Sandford “Castle”, a folly built in 1769 from where spectacular views of the village can be enjoyed. Ladies Walk leads to an exit gate in the estate wall. Just outside the gate is an impressive stand of Californian Redwoods.
*The Film Circle of Friends and Widow's Peak were made in the village in 1993 and 1994.
Inistioge Map
<< Return to Kilkenny page
