BALTINGLASS

ABBEY

BALTINGLASS

ABBEY

POCKET IRELAND › Place Guides › Baltinglass Abbey

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Nestled in a serene valley of the Wicklow Mountains, alongside the gently flowing River Slaney, Baltinglass Abbey offers an atmospheric retreat into Ireland's medieval past. Founded in 1148 by Diarmait Mac Murchada, the King of Leinster, this ruined Cistercian monastery exudes a quiet majesty. As you approach the site, the scent of damp earth and crisp mountain air sets the scene for a historically rich exploration.

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The Nave

The abbey’s most striking feature is its beautifully preserved nave, stretching for 56 metres and flanked by six elegant Gothic arches. These arches are supported by an unusual and visually captivating sequence of alternating cylindrical and square pillars. If you look closely at the stonework, you will discover intricate carvings of human figures, animals, and foliage - a masterful display of Irish Romanesque artistry often attributed to the mysterious 'Baltinglass Master'. Adjoining the medieval ruins, you will also find a starkly contrasting structure: an imposing, pyramid-style granite mausoleum built in 1832 for the local Stratford family.

Pyramid Mausoleum

The graveyard area is dominated by a striking pyramidal structure. This is the Stratford Mausoleum, a fascinating architectural anomaly situated alongside the main ruins. Constructed in 1832 from robust, locally quarried granite, this imposing tomb was commissioned for the Stratford family, who held the title of the Earls of Aldborough.

The mausoleum reflects a 19th-century European fascination with Egyptology. Its sheer, unadorned walls and sealed entrance create an air of formidable permanence, making it an unexpected and dramatic focal point amidst the weathered, ancient headstones.