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64. Thomaston, County Kilkenny - The Town Centre The sign in Thomastown's Market Street informs us beginnings circa AD 1200
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The lovely River Nore flows through Thomastown.
Market Street, Thomastown
Market Street in the small historic town of Thomastown founded around AD 1200.
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The old 13th century Thomastown Church, now a private residence.
The ruins of a 13th century church in Thomastown.
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The memorial sculpture to the great hurling player of Thomastown, Ollie Walsh
The restored medieval house known as The Tower House in Thomastown.
The Blackberry Cafe next to the Bank of Ireland in Thomastown - a good place to eat, but not unique in Thomastown! and the relatively new cafe of Butterscotch for gifts and coffee in Thomastown, that functions as an art and crafts shop too!
Simon Treacy Hardware, a fine traditional shop and the more 'contemporary' Blackberry Cafe
The Riverside Cafe, The Jerpoint Inn and Dino's in Thomastown
The HUB cafe, Thomastown
Next door to the Hub in Thomastown is the TOAST cafe for cheese and wine, brunch, soups, salads, light bites, coffee and cake, sounds good!
A weekly market of local produce is held in the old concert hall of Thomastown. The market is located at Thomastown Concert Hall, Kilkenny and takes place on Saturdays from 11.30am-1.30pm. Local products for sale include vegetables, baked goods (great scones and cakes), crafts and knitting.
The market and Thomastown Library
The children's playground by trace of the old town walls of Thomastown, dating from 1323. THE WATERGARDEN 'complex' in Thomastown
The streamside gardens, garden centre, cafe, crafts shop and gallery. The Watergarden was established by Camphill Communities of Ireland in 1993. The property had belonged to local tailor Bernard Walsh, who developed the riverside garden as a hobby.
The vibrant colourful mosaic was produced b students of the Craft Council of Ireland's Ceramic Design and Skills course in Thomastown in 2006-2008.
The WATERGARDEN offers training workshops in gardening, catering, pottery and basketry. In 2008 the Watergarden Gallery was opened to display their own crafts and that of local artists whose products you can purchase.
Down by the River Nore at Thomastown
The attractive setting of the Quay on the banks of the River Nore, Thomastown, with excellent car parking facilities across the road.
The River Nore
The few remaining ruins of Thomastown Castle tower house that would have guarded the River Nore bridge crossing
The busy road bridge at Thomastown.
A lovely setting for a stroll and peaceful break.
The old mill, with its exit channel from the water wheel still in full flow.
The Grennan Mill Craft School and Art Gallery
Display of the art work of Lorna Donlon - a science and art connection in 2022
The Camphill Community, Jerpoint, near Thomastown
Thomastown, County Kilkenny: A Historic Market Town on the River NoreNestled on the banks of the River Nore, about 17 km south of Kilkenny City, Thomastown is one of the most attractive small towns in south-east Ireland. Known in Irish as Baile Mhic Andáin, it was formerly called Grennan, a name that survives today in local landmarks such as Grennan Castle, Grennan Mill and Grennan College. Medieval OriginsThe town was founded in the late 12th or early 13th century by Thomas FitzAnthony, an Anglo-Norman administrator and landowner who received extensive lands in Leinster. The settlement developed at a strategic crossing point on the River Nore and eventually took its English name from its founder: "Thomas's Town", later Thomastown. Its Irish name likewise refers to FitzAnthony as "the son of Anthony". During the Middle Ages Thomastown became a prosperous trading centre. It was protected by walls, towers and a castle, and by the end of the 13th century had more than 200 burgesses. Several English monarchs granted charters to the town, reflecting its importance within medieval Leinster. Remains of its fortifications still survive beside the bridge over the Nore. Trade, Mills and River CommerceFor centuries Thomastown prospered because of its location on the navigable River Nore. Agricultural produce, flour and manufactured goods were transported between Thomastown and Waterford. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the town became an important milling centre, with several large flour mills operating along the river. One of the most significant surviving industrial buildings is Grenan Flour Mill, a substantial water-powered flour mill dating mainly from the late eighteenth century, though parts may incorporate even earlier fabric. The mill stands as a reminder of the town's industrial past. The Great Famine and the WorkhouseLike much of Ireland, Thomastown was deeply affected by the Great Famine. A workhouse serving the district opened in 1853 and accommodated up to 600 inmates. The workhouse became a central institution for the poor of southern County Kilkenny during difficult times. Art and Craft Heritage: Grennan Mill Craft SchoolOne of Thomastown's greatest modern cultural assets is the Grennan Mill Craft School, which has been a dedicated centre for craft and design education since 1981. The school is housed in the historic mill complex on the River Nore and has trained generations of artists, ceramicists, jewellers, textile artists and craftspeople. The old mill has become a creative hub, helping to establish Thomastown as one of Ireland's recognised centres for contemporary arts and crafts. Graduate exhibitions are regularly held there, attracting visitors from across Ireland. Places of Interest Near ThomastownJerpoint AbbeyOne of Ireland's finest medieval Cistercian monasteries lies just outside Thomastown. Founded in the 12th century, it is renowned for its beautifully carved cloister and stone sculptures. Kilfane Glen and WaterfallA romantic nineteenth-century landscape garden featuring woodland walks, streams and a picturesque waterfall. Mount Juliet EstateOne of Ireland's best-known country estates, famous for golf, fishing and luxury hospitality. The Medieval BridgeThe handsome bridge across the Nore is one of Thomastown's defining landmarks. Ancient defensive towers at either end recall the town's medieval past. Famous People Connected with ThomastownGeorge Berkeley (1685-1753)The internationally famous philosopher and Bishop of Cloyne was born near Thomastown. Berkeley's philosophical ideas on perception and immaterialism influenced thinkers across Europe and America. Mildred Anne Butler (1858-1941)One of Ireland's best-loved painters, noted for her sensitive depictions of gardens, animals and rural life. She came from nearby Kilmurry and is strongly associated with the Thomastown area. John Martyn (1948-2009)The influential folk, jazz and blues singer-songwriter spent his final years in Thomastown and became closely identified with the town. Arthur Lanigan-O'KeeffeOlympic modern pentathlete who represented Ireland at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He comes from the Thomastown area. Cafés and Coffee StopsIf you're visiting Thomastown today, some popular café options include: The Blackberry CafeA long-established award-winning café known for home-baked food and locally sourced organic ingredients. It has been a fixture of the town since 2007 and is part of the Kilkenny Food Trail. The HubA well-regarded café and deli noted by visitors for good coffee, cakes and sandwiches. Truffle FairyPart café and chocolate-maker, particularly popular for handmade chocolates, desserts and sweet treats. Unwind Coffee Co.A newer coffee stop in the town centre listed among Thomastown's café offerings. Why Thomastown Is SpecialWhat makes Thomastown particularly appealing is the combination of Norman history, medieval architecture, river scenery, industrial heritage and a thriving arts culture. Few Irish towns combine a medieval bridge and tower, a nearby great abbey, a historic flour mill reborn as an art school, and access to some of Kilkenny's finest countryside quite so successfully. For a visitor touring Kilkenny, I would rank Thomastown alongside Inistioge as one of the county's most characterful historic towns, especially when combined with visits to Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, and the craft studios of Grennan Mill. Irish holiday tour docspics photos images pics photographs pictures © Phil Brown * Irish holiday tours, touring in Ireland, top tourist attractions, tourism information, luxury hotels, self-catering holiday cottages, airbnb air b and b air B&B accommodation, historic towns & cities in Ireland archaeological sites, museums, cheap flights, get there by flying of Ferry, Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Ryanair Travel, dining out in Ireland, good food guide to Ireland, top Irish restaurants, Irish coach tours, weekend breaks trips to Ireland docspics images photos of Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny © Phil Brown Tourist information on Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Walks near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Having holidays near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, Top tourist attractions near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, luxury hotels near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, self-catering holiday cottages near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, airbnb air B and B near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, good B&B near Thomastown, Co. 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