[1][2] Duiske Abbey was founded by William Marshal in 1204 and is one of the first, largest and perhaps the finest of the thirty-four medieval Cistercian monasteries in Ireland.

[3] The Abbey was founded in 1204 by William Marshall the elder, earl of Pembroke, and was colonised with monks from Stanley in Wiltshire.

Prior to their relocation to Graiguenamanagh, the monks initially established a settlement at Annamult near Bennettsbridge, constructing a castle and round tower, the ruins of which are still visible.

In 1228 the religious community was fixed at thirty-six monks and fifty lay-brothers which was almost as large as Mellifont Abbey.

In the nearby Abbey Centre there is an exhibition of contemporary Christian Art and local historic artefacts.