merrion street

Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) was in County Offaly today to reopen officially the newly restored and conserved Durrow Abbey. Saint Colmcille founded Durrow Abbey, located 5 miles from Tullamore in the 6th century. The Abbey is one of Ireland’s most important early Christian monasteries and is considered to be of international importance.

Speaking at the reopening Minister Hayes said: “I am pleased to be here today to reopen what is, without question, one of the midlands’ most important and significant historic and cultural landmarks. Since Durrow Abbey Estate came into State ownership in 2003, the Office of Public Works has been carrying out conservation and preservation works, in keeping with the Durrow Abbey Conservation Plan that we launched in 2005. Today I am delighted to be able to reopen the Abbey and the High Cross to the public and look forward to the continuation of conservation works and the expansion of facilities here at Durrow Abbey Estate.”

The Minister continued: “The Office of Public Works has already carried out significant restoration and conservation work on site. The conservation of St. Columba’s church is complete and the High Cross has been moved inside from its former position in the graveyard. This ensures that it will be preserved and presented for future generations. The interior of the church and its box pews has been expertly restored by OPW National Monuments. Repairs to the graveyard wall are complete and the restoration of the Gate Lodge as a Visitor Centre has commenced.”

The Minister concluded: “Limited public access to the site can now be facilitated. There are still challenges facing us here at this site, challenges such as access to the Abbey and road alignment in the area, but it is my hope that we can work in conjunction with our colleagues in the Local Authority and the National Roads Authority to make this site as satisfying and rewarding a visitor experience as possible. We will continue to seek funding to drive this process forward, and I congratulate all involved in carrying out the works undertaken to date.”