Information
Landmark: Selskar AbbeyCity: Wexford
Country: Ireland
Continent: Europe
Selskar Abbey, Wexford, Ireland, Europe
Overview
Selskar Abbey, a centuries-old landmark in the heart of Wexford Town, County Wexford, Ireland, stands with weathered stone walls that whisper its long history.This medieval religious site, dating to the 12th century, still carries the weight of its long history.Much of the old stonework has crumbled away, yet the Abbey still stands as a powerful landmark, valued for its striking architecture, its deep ties to Ireland’s history, and its place in the country’s religious and political life.First.Selskar Abbey sits near the heart of Wexford Town, just a short walk from the bustle of Main Street.It’s easy to get to, tucked into a part of town steeped in history, just steps from the Wexford Opera House and the cobbled Selskar Square.The Abbey itself began life as a Cistercian monastery in the early 1100s.In medieval Wexford, it stood at the heart of both faith and trade, its stone halls echoing with prayer, lessons, and market talk.Selskar Abbey was founded in 1160 by the Normans after their invasion of Ireland.Maurice FitzGerald, a Norman lord, founded the monastery as part of the Cistercian order, a Catholic branch known for its hard work in the fields and strict self-reliance.At its height in the medieval period, Selskar Abbey stood as one of the region’s most important religious centers.The monks lived by the strict Cistercian rule, spending hours in prayer and tending neat rows of vegetables in the fields.The Abbey grew rich from its fertile farmland and its role as a leading religious hub in County Wexford.In 1540, during Henry VIII’s English Reformation, Selskar Abbey-like so many others in Ireland-was dissolved.When the monasteries were dissolved, the Abbey began to fade, its stone walls slowly crumbling and ivy curling over the broken arches.Over time, the site shifted to everyday uses-a bustling market, a lively town square.Though centuries have worn Selskar Abbey down, you can still spot a few carved stones and weathered arches standing.You can still see what’s left of the east wall, along with a few worn sections of the old church.The Abbey rose in the traditional Cistercian style-plain but sturdy, built for use over show, its stone walls cool to the touch.Its original layout followed the Latin cross plan, a design often chosen for monastic life.At the Abbey, the church stood at the heart of religious life, while cloisters wrapped around the central courtyard, giving quiet corners for prayer, study, and reflection.In the ruins, a few walls still show intricate stonework, each chisel mark whispering of the skill of medieval hands.You can still spot pieces of arched windows and doorways, along with traces of the roofline that once stood high against the sky.Selskar Abbey served not just as a place of worship, but as a hub for political and social gatherings.In the 12th century, the Abbey hosted a major council where Anglo-Norman lords, the Archbishop of Dublin, and other church leaders gathered to settle matters of governance and doctrine.Then, in 1177, one of its most famous moments unfolded-Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow, was laid to rest there, his coffin carried through the stone archway into the quiet, echoing nave.Strongbow played a central role in the Norman invasion of Ireland, and when he was buried at Selskar Abbey, the place became a touchstone of medieval politics and history.After the Abbey’s dissolution in the Reformation, its walls crumbled and the site slowly slipped into ruin.It became part of Selskar Square, its surviving walls folded into nearby buildings, yet locals still honored the Abbey’s deep historical and religious roots.Today, though weathered stone arches stand open to the wind, Selskar Abbey remains a striking landmark.You can still see parts of the structure-the east wall stands firm, and a few worn sections of the church remain.The site welcomes the public, inviting them to wander through its weathered stone ruins and pause to consider its past.Now part of Selskar Square in Wexford Town, the Abbey sits at the heart of a lively spot for festivals, markets, and community events.Locals often meet in the square for festivals and small markets, with the weathered stone of the Abbey ruins rising behind them.Though modest in size, Selskar Abbey remains a cherished piece of Wexford’s history.It draws visitors eager to explore Irish medieval history, admire stone-carved arches, and uncover the country’s rich religious past.The site offers a quiet place to connect with Ireland’s past while soaking in the charm of Wexford Town, where narrow streets still smell faintly of fresh bread.You can visit Selskar Abbey any time of year.Because it’s an old ruin, there’s no ticket booth-just open paths you’re free to wander at your own pace.Still, it’s smart to check for special hours or access changes-especially around public holidays or when the square’s buzzing with local events.You’ll find it in Selskar Square, just a short walk from Wexford’s main streets.Selskar Abbey is easy to find thanks to clear signs, and its spot right in the heart of town makes it a perfect stop while you wander between sights like the Wexford Opera House, where music drifts into the street on performance nights; the Wexford Heritage Centre and Museum, with their stories of the town’s past; or the Irish National Heritage Park just outside Wexford, where you can step into a recreated medieval village-altogether, the Abbey offers a striking window into Ireland’s medieval history.Once a Cistercian monastery and the burial place of Strongbow, it stands out as a site steeped in history and worth a closer look.Today, the Abbey still rests quietly in the heart of Wexford Town, where moss clings to weathered stone and visitors wander its ruins, pausing to take in centuries of history.
