This week, The Kilkenny Observer welcomes John Comerford from Kilkenny tours who will bring us on trip to visit various locations in Kilkenny city and county. We hope to bring you a piece of history on the first Friday of each month. To give the full history on each location would take up too many column inches, but we hope that the information shared, will, at the very least, whet your appetite in discovering Kilkenny’s rich history, architecture, and hidden gems. This week John visits St Johns Priory on Johns Street in Kilkenny.
Photos jbs kilkenny
St. John’s Priory was founded by the Augustinian Canons in the early 13th century, making it one of the earliest and most significant Augustinian houses in medieval Ireland. At its height, the priory occupied almost five acres, stretching along the northern line of the burgages from Michael Street down to the River Nore. This made it one of the largest religious precincts within medieval Kilkenny.
The Augustinians played a central role in the spiritual and social life of the town. Beyond their religious duties, they provided accommodation and training facilities for young knights, particularly those associated with the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem. This connection reflects the priory’s strategic importance in supporting both ecclesiastical and military communities during the medieval period.
When the parish of St. John’s was formally created in 1211, the Augustinians were appointed to serve and maintain it. Outside the priory walls, open grounds were used for jousting, combat training, and other martial exercises — a reminder of the close relationship between the Church and the knightly orders.
Surviving Structures and Later History
The principal surviving building of the priory stands today at the junction of John Street and Michael Street. Over the centuries, much of the complex fell into ruin, particularly after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Many of the original structures were dismantled or repurposed.
In 1817, the medieval Lady Chapel was re-roofed and adapted for use as the Parish Church of St. John’s (Church of Ireland). Portions of the original 13th century fabric remain visible within the 19th century reconstruction, offering a rare glimpse into the priory’s medieval architecture.
St. John’s was once known as “the Lantern of Ireland” — a poetic title inspired by the warm candlelight that glowed through its windows at night, illuminating the surrounding area and guiding travellers approaching the town.
Reuse of the Priory Buildings
During the 1600s, stone from the ruined priory church was re-used to construct a military barracks. This building later became Evan’s Home, endowed by Joseph Evans as a charitable institution for elderly women. Today, Evan’s Home has been beautifully restored and now houses the outstanding Butler Gallery, one of Kilkenny’s most important cultural spaces.
Archaeological and Cultural Significance
Archaeological investigations around the site have revealed evidence of cloister ranges, domestic quarters, burial grounds, and water-management systems connected to the River Nore. These findings highlight the priory’s sophistication and its role as a self-sustaining monastic community.
St. John’s Priory remains a key landmark in Kilkenny’s religious and architectural heritage — a place where medieval devotion, military history, and modern cultural life intersect.
