Ireland/Irish > Black's guide to Killarney and the south of Ireland

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DUBLIN TO CORK.
King John confirmed the charter of the abbey, and Henry
III. took it under his protection. The abbot, as Earl of Holy
Cross, was a peer of parliament; he was moreover “ vicar-
general of the Cistercian order in Ireland.” Great multitudes,
including many important persons, made pilgrimages to the
abbey, during its zenith, but at the dissolution, it was granted,
with all its valuable estates, to the Earl of Ormonde, at the
annual rent of £15. “ The architecture of the nave is inferior
to that of the tower, transepts, and choir. The tower is sup¬
ported on lofty pointed arches ; the roof groined in a style of
superior workmanship, and pierced with five holes for the
transit of the bell-ropes.”* The north transept, which is
beautifully groined, is divided into two chapels; one of them
contains the baptismal font, and is lighted by a window of
peculiar design. The south transept is similar to the north,
and, like it, is adorned with tombs and monuments.
In the choir will be observed with interest two curious
tombs or shrines. One of these between two sanctuaries is
supported by two rows of fluted spiral columns, less rich, but
resembling the Prentice’s Pillar in R^plin Chapel near Edin¬
burgh. It has been supposed that this was intended for the
reception of the portion of the cross already referred to, though
it may also have been used in the celebration of the burial
mass. The other monument is also richly ornamented, and
is supported by pillars of black marble.
This latter memorial occupies the place of honour, i.e., on
the south side of the high altar, and hence is believed by many
to be the tomb of the founder O’Brien; but the arms with
which it is enriched are those of England and France, with
those of the Butlers and Fitzgeralds. “ From an inspection,”
says Wright, “ of these heraldic proofs, and reference to the
peerage, it is concluded that this elegant monumental structure
was raised to the memory of the daughter of the Earl of Kil¬
dare, wife of James, fourth Earl of Ormonde, commonly called
‘ The White Earl,' who died about the year 1450.” Many
doubts exist as to the piece of the “true cross; ’ but Dr. Petrie,
the celebrated antiquarian, asserts that it still exists, and on
the authority of Dr. Milner describes its appearance and pre¬
servation at the time of the dissolution. “ As a monastic ruin,”
Dr. Petrie writes, “ the abbey of Holy Cross ranks in popular
esteem as one of the first, if not the very first, in Ireland. But
Wright.