Jerpoint Park
Jerpoint Park
5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
At Jerpoint Park we strive to immerse you in a unique experience of heritage and culture in a very special destination Thomastown Kilkenny. Unearth the history of Jerpoint Park with a guided tour of the footprints of the deserted 12th Century Medieval Settlement called Newtown Jerpoint. The site also contains the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra) plus the Church of St. Nicholas. Sheep dog demonstrations are a wonderful event to see, where man and dog work together as one. Pre-booking is essential.
Duration: < 1 hour
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5.0
358 reviews
Excellent
303
Very good
44
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Christine P
mirfield6 contributions
May 2024 • Family
My daughters ,their friend and myself were driving down a country road to Thomastown, the birth place of late husband's Grandfather. We passed the sign for Jerpoint Park and decided to drive down the long private sweeping winding road that swept through the estate . Joe the present owner was sat outside,he smiled warmly at us as we got out of the car and immediately began talking to us. He was extremely sociable and gave us a brief social history regarding the estate . Joe then contacted his wife Maeve to say that there were visitors,Maeve was our guide throughout our stay. She was so warm and welcoming,extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable ,her love for her home was genuine. She had a deep sense of responsibility regarding the estate ,that it was a privilege to be the present custodians . Maeve led us down from the house ,through the grounds to the beautiful tranquil medieval site .The area had once been a thriving bustling town during the 12 th C.If you closed your eyes you could imagine and sense the reality of been present at that time ,a deep sense of history all around . Outside the ancient walls of St Nicholas church was a large cemetery, steeped in history including the tomb effigy of St Nicholas,of whom we had previously read about.This was the highlight of the day for us all. The tomb had a deep spiritual energy surrounding it,which was very profound,my daughters were very reluctant to leave,a n extremely moving experience. This was one of those special moments in time,difficult to articulate . Thank you Joe and Maeve for sharing it with us,you are so blessed living here Christine ,daughters Nicola and Natalie and friend Nicola
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nik S
Manchester, UK2 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Absolutely beautiful park, the owners were both so lovely, knowledgeable and humble husband and wife team, who truly appreciate how special the area is and how they want to share it with all, which ties into the legacy of St Nicholas so aptly. The grave stone was obviously weathered but you can make out the unique features that Maeve so expertly talked us through. The ravens watched over us the whole time. So peaceful, the land made my family and I tingle, you can feel the history, a truly special place. Thankyou for the mesmorising tour Maeve, we will definitely be back.
Written 8 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saffamom
Nashville, TN11 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We visited Jerpoint Park with a family group of 8 today, and can't recommend it highly enough! Maeve was just fantastic, what a lovely person and wonderful storyteller. Our group ranged in age from 7 years to 77 years, and she kept us all engaged. The site is fascinating and not to be missed, and we loved the dogs. We came away feeling lucky to have met this wonderful family and experienced this treasure they're caretakers of.
Written 11 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
neil kelly
Dublin, Ireland1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Couples
What a fantastic site!
Be sure to pre book this tour before arriving as the site is closed without it. The lady on the phone had an excellent customer service demeanor and was very informative (apologies for not catching your name).
Our guide, Joe, was an interesting conversationalist who provided a very enjoyable tour of this ruined town and its history for only 10 euro. A must see if you have an interest in this period of irish history.
To finish the walk off was the sheepdog display, a brilliant view of the relationship between a working dog the herd and also highlighting the skill associated with training the animal.
I would go back tomorrow if given the chance.
As this site has been largely untouched there are few pathways, be sure to wear boots to enjoy the full experience.
Thank you both!
Neil & Katie-Rose
Be sure to pre book this tour before arriving as the site is closed without it. The lady on the phone had an excellent customer service demeanor and was very informative (apologies for not catching your name).
Our guide, Joe, was an interesting conversationalist who provided a very enjoyable tour of this ruined town and its history for only 10 euro. A must see if you have an interest in this period of irish history.
To finish the walk off was the sheepdog display, a brilliant view of the relationship between a working dog the herd and also highlighting the skill associated with training the animal.
I would go back tomorrow if given the chance.
As this site has been largely untouched there are few pathways, be sure to wear boots to enjoy the full experience.
Thank you both!
Neil & Katie-Rose
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hunter J
3 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
Jerpoint Park easily became a group favourite on our Ireland trip!
Maeve was quick to reply about bookings and we got in for a private tour of the medieval town as well as a sheepdog demonstration, all very affordable at €15/person. It was just our group when we got there but a tour bus showed up as we were leaving, so call ahead of time to really get that private experience.
I was pleasantly surprised at how elaborate the tour was; covering the settlement history of the area, archaeological finds, architectural design of the ruins, and not to mention some notable names in the graveyard - including St. Nicholas (yes, Santa!)
The owner, Joe, is kind, knowledgeable and entertaining. His tour was especially enjoyable as his passion for this unique history shows.
If you’re looking to explore remnants of Ireland’s past in the beautiful countryside while hearing stories from a local, seriously don’t miss visiting Jerpoint Park. The sheepdog was also very cute haha ❤️
Maeve was quick to reply about bookings and we got in for a private tour of the medieval town as well as a sheepdog demonstration, all very affordable at €15/person. It was just our group when we got there but a tour bus showed up as we were leaving, so call ahead of time to really get that private experience.
I was pleasantly surprised at how elaborate the tour was; covering the settlement history of the area, archaeological finds, architectural design of the ruins, and not to mention some notable names in the graveyard - including St. Nicholas (yes, Santa!)
The owner, Joe, is kind, knowledgeable and entertaining. His tour was especially enjoyable as his passion for this unique history shows.
If you’re looking to explore remnants of Ireland’s past in the beautiful countryside while hearing stories from a local, seriously don’t miss visiting Jerpoint Park. The sheepdog was also very cute haha ❤️
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul H
4 contributions
Aug 2022
With a great love of ruins and lost places, my two sons and I visited Jerpoint Park and were enchanted by the place. The guided tour from the proprietor was as much seanachaí as it was historian. Even so, as we displayed a bit of knowledge of the period and the context, he deftly adjusted his narrative to give more depth and detail.
With everything from WWI graves to the old tombs of the noble families and the ghostly imprint of the lost town, it is a magical place, lovingly preserved and passionately illustrated by the land owner.
If you love the ancient and the lost, this is a worthwhile place to wander and wonder.
With everything from WWI graves to the old tombs of the noble families and the ghostly imprint of the lost town, it is a magical place, lovingly preserved and passionately illustrated by the land owner.
If you love the ancient and the lost, this is a worthwhile place to wander and wonder.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David l
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Friends
Mr Belmore was a very rude and unsavoury character. He made very sny comments regarding our perceived intelligence and also the price of the guided tour which, by the way was far more expensive than the other history tours we had done that day. I would never spend money to be followed around by such rude character so no option for an unguided tour was very disappointing.
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawne H
8 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Joe was our guide at Jerpoint Park.
He was welcoming and funny and full of history. The site is beautiful and we had all the time we needed to explore. No rushing.
The walk across the field in amongst all of the stone from the long road and the town set your imagination running wild.
After we were finished Joe brought his young dog Glen out and gave us a herding demonstration. I was in awe of the relationship between this man and his dog.
He was welcoming and funny and full of history. The site is beautiful and we had all the time we needed to explore. No rushing.
The walk across the field in amongst all of the stone from the long road and the town set your imagination running wild.
After we were finished Joe brought his young dog Glen out and gave us a herding demonstration. I was in awe of the relationship between this man and his dog.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharigray38
San Antonio, FL3 contributions
Jun 2022
What a little hidden gem! The story of a lost town and the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas. We were aware of the connection to St. Nicholas but not the lost town. Maive gave us a wonderful, personal tour with interesting historical facts. This is just down the road from the Jerpoint Abbey.
We did not pre-book; however, pre-booking is highly recommended. This is a privately own historical site that gives small tours and tours booked by the bus load.
We did not pre-book; however, pre-booking is highly recommended. This is a privately own historical site that gives small tours and tours booked by the bus load.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeC
1 contribution
Jun 2022
We stumbled across this by accident. It was completely amazing. This was the best tour we have done in Ireland in the 14 days we have been here. We went hoping to see a sheepdog herding demonstration but we got so much more. They asked if we wanted a tour of the old town. We said sure. That is when we found out the property has the remains of an abandoned Medieval town. The owner Maeve gave us a very informative tour that was incredible. We cannot recommend this site enough. Everyone should make this a priority to visit. Oh, and Bob and his sheepdog Shep gave us a great demonstration of a sheepdog working with the sheep.
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are dogs allowed within the Park?
Thanks
Written 15 September 2019
I believe that they are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead -but perhaps contact Jerpoint beforehand to confirm.
Written 16 September 2019
Everyone on Trip Advisor talks about how wonderful their tour was with JOE. We visit the Kilkenny area September 13-14 and would love to take a tour guided by Joe. How do we go about doing so? thanks so much!
Written 27 August 2018
They have a schedule now posted on line
Written 23 February 2019
Hello My wife and I are travelling to Dublin next week and will be their from the 12th to 15th July. We then plan to drive to Kilkenny on the 15th July through to the 19th July. What day would be the best to visit? We are especially keen to see the sheep dogs in action. Thanks for your help,
Written 3 July 2018
Hello! I would recommend arriving and seeing the town of kilkenny the first day and plan your trip to Jerpoint park the following day. You’ll want to be fresh and attuned to the time change to do the tour. Maybe call ahead to see what time there will be others touring at the same time, so you can maybe see more of the dogs. You’re going to like it though, so interesting and joe is just such an interesting man and his ancient city is so cool! Imagine finding this place in your backyard!
Written 3 July 2018
What time is the sheepherding demonstration? We’ll be there Thursday July 5. Thanks!
Written 24 June 2018
We conduct tours at 10.30am & 2.30pm daily during 2018 season and the sheep dog can be incorporated either before or after that event.
Written 26 June 2018
Is there a footpath from Thomastown to Jerpoint Abbey? When I ask for walking directions on Google Maps, it appears that the only route is along a road with no shoulder. We will not have a car.
Written 16 April 2018
There is no footpath from Thomastown to Jerpoint Park & and no hard shoulder for at least 3/4 of journey. Maeve
Written 17 April 2018
Do you need to book a tour in advance or can you go anytime?
Written 29 August 2017
Hi, It would be better if you could book in advance to avoid disappointment. 00353 86 6061449.
Written 29 August 2017
How much are the tickets to jerpoint park?
There seems no information on its website about the cost of entry etc.
Thanks
Written 4 September 2016
If I recall correctly, the "donation" was 10 euros for each adult (I'm unsure about children), payable in cash.
Written 4 September 2016
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