Multi-million euro plan to develop Ballintubber Abbey officially launched

THE 809-year-old Ballintubber Abbey took its first step towards a multi-million euro development with the launch of its development programme, new website and strategic plan for 2025-2028.

The launch was described as ‘a very momentous day’ for the historic building, which is widely known as ‘the abbey that refused to die’.

Last year, €5.8 million was allocated under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to fund the construction of the Ballintubber Abbey Cultural and Heritage Visitor Centre. Construction on the visitor centre - which was first conceived as a concept in 2008 - will begin later this year.

As well as documenting its history and heritage, the abbey’s newly-launched website allows visitors to book tours and walks online for the first time.

Constructed in 1216, Ballintubber was burned to the ground twice. Despite this destruction and the restrictions imposed on Catholics by the Penal Laws, Mass continued to be said at the abbey.

Redevelopment of the church and grounds began during the Great Famine when a number of windows were restored. Further restoration took place between 1889 and 1890, when parts of the building were roofed with green slate. It was not until the 1960s that the abbey was restored to its current state.

Under the stewardship of long-time Parish Priest Fr Frank Fahey, the Abbey grounds were redeveloped in 1986. Fr Fahey also spearheaded the revival of the Easter passion play, which continues at the abbey to this day.

In 1994, the dorter and chapter house were refurbished as a retreat facility and retail space.

The Abbey was also encompassed in the Tochar Phádraig pilgrimage route, which retraces the footsteps of St Patrick.

Speaking at the launch of the new visitor centre, strategic plan and website, Fr Michael Farragher, Parish Priest of Carnacon and Killawalla, described the abbey as ‘a living symbol of endurance and grace.

“It is known affectionately as ‘the abbey that refused to die’, because time and again, through fire, suppression and famine, it was brought to the brink, and yet it endured,” said Fr Farragher. 

“And today, we proudly say, ‘they dared to hope’, and we still do. The spirit of hope, rooted in faith and community, continues to guide us as we take this next bold step into the future.

“What we are celebrating today, our restoration programme, our new website, and our strategic plan, is not just about preserving the past, but about creating a future that is alive with purpose, hospitality, and spiritual renewal. It has taken years of dedication, patience and collaboration to get here, and no effort has gone unnoticed. To everyone who gave time, talent, funding, prayers and support, thank you.”

CONCEPTION

THE idea of developing a visitor centre at Ballintubber Abbey was first conceived in 2008 by the Ballintubber Abbey Trust.

In 2014, the Ballintubber Abbey Trust engaged a conservation architect and design team to undertake the project and received planning permission in 2016. Seventeen conditions were attached, primarily the requirement for an architectural investigation.

The local community provided €163,000 to bring the project to the planning stage. The South West Mayo Development Company allocated €100,000 for the architectural investigation, which was completed in 2018.

“Despite all this progress, we had not yet broken ground. Funds were running low, but the trust was committed. There was no going back,” said Con Lydon, a member of the Ballintubber Abbey Trust Building Committee.

In 2019, the project received €2.6 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and €350,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

“Unfortunately, other hopes of funding did not come through. This meant we had enough money to build a structure but not to fit it out. Then came Covid-19, which halted all plans,” continued Mr Lydon.

Plans for the visitor centre were revived following the pandemic, with Mayo County County Council becoming the project’s client.

A new application was then submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to include construction and interpretation aspects of the project. This resulted in the awarding of €5.8 million to see the project to completion.

“This transformative support means we can now carry out the entire vision from construction to interpretation and beyond,” said Mr Lydon.

A BEACON OF HISTORY

SUELLEN McKenna, manager of Ballintubber Abbey, said the project ‘will ensure that Ballintubber Abbey continues to serve as a beacon of history, faith and cultural heritage for generations to come’.

Ms McKenna, a native of the area, paid tribute to all those who had supported the development of the abbey, particularly Fr Frank Fahey.

“We would not be here without Fr Fahey and his unwavering belief in Ballintubber Abbey and the culture and heritage centre,” said Ms McKenna.

“His faith and foresight have always guided this project, and it has been an honour to see his vision come to life.”

Local TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon said the launch marked ‘a very momentous day for the Ballintubber community’ and said the visitor centre had ‘enormous potential’ to enhance tourism in the area.

“We are, in one sense, writing the next chapter of this abbey for generations to come. It is such a central point in this area, in central Mayo, but also within the parishes that surround it from Partry, to Killawalla, to Carnacon, from Ballyheane down the road,” Minister Dillon added.

His fellow Mayo TD, Minister Dara Calleary, also paid tribute to the project and the history of Ballintubber Abbey.

“We are at a really difficulty and challenging phase in our world at the moment, but it is the abbey and what it stands for that will ground us and empower us and give us strength to encounter any challenge, be it global, be that in our homes, be that a personal challenge.”

Con Lydon added that the new visitor centre will ‘preserve the past, enhance the present and inspire the future’.

“This is more than a building,” he said. “It’s a space of encounter, education, reflection and welcome. Ballintubber is, and will remain, the abbey that refused to die.”

You can find out more about Ballintubber Abbey by visiting its new website at www.ballintubberabbey.ie.