Primary School Tours
Guided tours of Holycross Abbey or the village are offered to to Primary Schools. The Abbey is a restored medieval monastery and is now a parish church. The programme is designed to suit second to sixth classes with graded interactive worksheets.
It touches on many strands of the History curriculum, including:
*Early People and Ancient Societies;
*Story;
*Life, Society, Work and Culture in the Past;
*Eras of Change and Conflict;
*Politics, Conflict and Society.
The Abbey itself is an outstanding Primary Source covering wonderful architecture, art, myth, legend and life in the past.There is a wealth of religious content, art and symbols to be explored. A tour of the Abbey takes about one and a half hours in total.
€ 3 per student. There is a picnic area or a room available should the students bring a packed lunch. Times may change to adapt to any religious events taking place in the Abbey.
( Worksheets will be emailed to the school for printing before the visit. If needed we can copy them for an extra € 1 per student.)
For more information and bookings please phone 086 1665869 or email holycrossabbeytours@gmail.comOn a tour pupils can:
- See the Relic of the True Cross which gave Holycross its name.
- Listen to the story of ‘Ceall Uachtair Lámhann’.
- Learn about the layout of the Abbey.
- View the best preserved medieval cloister.
- See the only intact chapter house archway in Ireland.
- Imagine the monks descending the original15th century night stairs.
- Admire the highpoint of Cistercian art on the waking bier.
- Marvel at the carvings on the Grave of the Good Woman’s Son.
- Hear the folk tale about the murdered prince.
- Hear about the oldest church bell in Ireland.
- View what is left of a 15th century fresco;
- and if time permits whisper a secret at the Whispering Arch