Newtown Jerpoint

Saint Nicholas, who inspired the legend of Santa Claus, is believed to have been buried in Newtown Jerpoint some 800 years ago.

Evidence lends some possible credence to this tale as the Normans in Kilkenny were keen collectors of religious relics.

After the Normans were forced out of Bari, the de Frainets moved to Nice, France, taking the relics with them.

When the Normans lost power in France, Nicholas de Frainet moved to Ireland.

[6] A survey was commissioned in 2007 by the Heritage Council Ireland and the Discovery Programme that used Lidar to show the extent of Newtown Jerpoint.