The abandoned little village in Europe where ‘Santa Claus is buried’ | World | News
There are many places in the world linked to Christmas legends, but one small village in Europe has a particularly unusual claim.
Hidden in the Irish countryside, the ruins of a medieval settlement are said to hold the final resting place of the man who inspired Santa Claus.
According to local legend, a relic of St Nicholas, the historical figure behind Father Christmas, is buried in the grounds of an abandoned church.
Just 20 minutes from Kilkenny, the deserted village of Newtown Jerpoint is now part of Jerpoint Park, a private farm owned by Maeve and Joe O’Connell.
The site was once a thriving Norman town and is home to the remains of St Nicholas’ Church, where a carved stone effigy stands over an old grave.
Some believe it marks the burial of a relic belonging to St Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century saint known for his generosity.
Local folklore tells of two crusader knights who, on their way back from the Middle East, took relics of St Nicholas from Turkey to Italy for safekeeping.
However, the story claims that part of the saint’s remains made their way to Ireland, eventually being buried at Newtown Jerpoint.
Some historians believe the effigy represents this legend, as it features two smaller figures standing beside the main carving.
Maeve O’Connell, who runs Jerpoint Park, told the BBC that the legend has been passed down for generations. “It’s always been here,” she said.
“A lot of work has gone into presenting a relic, so obviously people cared enough to mark this site.” However, the actual contents of the tomb remain a mystery.
Historians are divided on the claim, with some suggesting the grave belongs to a local priest rather than St Nicholas.
Others say that the tomb was moved in 1839, making it even harder to verify its origins. Nathan Mannion, an expert at EPIC, Ireland’s emigration museum, told the BBC that without physical evidence “saying anything with any degree of certainty about this story is unlikely”.
Despite the uncertainty, the site has become somewhat of an attraction, drawing around 10,000 visitors each year.
Many choose to believe the story, embracing the idea that a piece of Christmas history lies hidden in rural Ireland.
Jerpoint Park is not a major Christmas destination, but private tours can be arranged for those who want to visit the site.
