holy cross abbey

Holy Cross Monastery
Thurles is remembered for being the town where Michael Cusack and his friends, formed the G.A.A. It is also known as the town which hosted Feile for a number of years, where teenagers made the "Trip to Tip." But outside Thurles, is the Holy Cross Abbey, which was founded in 1169 by the King of Thomond of the Cistercian monks. A relic of the true cross owned by the King was given to the Abbey.

It was very prosperous and several of the Abbots were peers of Parliament. The Abbey was suppressed in and given to the Earl of Desmond. The monks however, stayed until the 17th century. In the grounds of the Abbey are a complete set of Stations of the Cross, donated by Senator and Mrs. Hanafin, of Thurles. The Stations of the Cross were erected in honour of Padre Pio. Mass is said in the Abbey and is a popular place for weddings.