Another photogenic small town to visit. The river here marks the border between two counties. Kilkenny on the Graiguenamanagh side and Carlow on the Tinnahinch side. Once a river port for the big Barrow barges, ‘Graig’ as it’s known, is still home to many ex-bargemen’s families.
In 1204 Cistercian monks, having discovered the pure water quality of the River Duiske, built a monastery and mills in Graiguenamanagh. Their monastery prospered through the export of wool, to become their largest Irish foundation – Duiske Abbey. The town grew up around the abbey and its mills..
Cushendale Woolen Mills is well worth a visit and has a small shop for woolens.
The beautiful Duiske Abbey is in the middle of the town and has high crosses in the graveyard.
