tintern cistercian abbey

During a stormy crossing to England once, William, the Earl Marshall, made a vow that he would found a church in Ireland if he survived the voyage. He survived, and fulfilled his vow around 1200 by founding Tintern Abbey, called after its more famous counterpart in Wales from whence its first monks came. The church consisted of a nave and aisles, a chancel and transepts. The aisles have disappeared though a chapel on the east wall of the south aisle is still preserved and contains some nice sculptural details. The chancel was converted into living quarters after 1541, and a number of mullioned windows were inserted. The tower, which had been added to the church in the 15th century, was also converted into residential quarters. The nave and tower were occupied up to our own century, but ongoing conservation work renders access difficult.