Holycross Irish:Mainistir na Croiche | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Holycross Bridge and abbey | |
  Holycross | |
| Coordinates:52°38′23″N7°52′00″W / 52.639626°N 7.866597°W /52.639626; -7.866597 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Tipperary |
| Population | |
• Total | 715 |
Holycross (Irish:Mainistir na Croiche)[2] is a village andcivil parish inCounty Tipperary,Ireland. It is one of 21 civil parishes in thebarony ofEliogarty. The civil parish straddles the baronies of Eliogarty and ofMiddle Third. It is also anecclesiastical parish in theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly.
The village developed around the CistercianHoly Cross Abbey on theRiver Suir. Its population was 715 at the2016 census.[1]
TheThurles toClonmel viaCashel bus route serves Holycross.[3] The nearest railway station isThurles railway station at approximately 6 kilometres distance. By road,Thurles is 7 km to the north-east.
Holy Cross Abbey was founded in 1180 by KingDomnall Mór Ua Briain and was renovated and added to during the 15th century. It became a place ofpilgrimage when arelic of theTrue Cross was presented to theCistercianmonks. Themonastery was suppressed by KingHenry VIII during the 16th century. The Abbey was abandonedcirca 1650, fell into ruin. The late Dr. Thomas Morris,Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, inspired the reconstruction of the Abbey which was opened in 1975. The church of this Cistercian Abbey was re-roofed and restored to its former glory as one of the finest Irish 15th-century churches. Thefoundation in 1169 was originally by theBenedictine order.[citation needed]
In 1975, on the restoration andreconsecration of the Abbey, an artifact, purportedly arelic of theTrue Cross, was reinstated after several centuries.[4] The relic was stolen, along with a number of other items in October, 2011.[5] It was recovered and returned byGardaí in January 2012.[6]
Holycross–Ballycahill GAA is the localGaelic Athletic Association club.
Holycross Football Club is a soccer club for juvenile and adult players located on the Cashel Road.[citation needed]
