Ruadhán Jones
Ballintubber Abbey is set to receive €350,000 from the National Monuments Service for reconstruction and renovation of the 800-year-old church.
Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan announced the contribution while visiting the Mayo abbey, where Mass has been celebrated for more than 800 years, July 22.
He was “delighted” to announce the funding, as “the local community have put in immense effort over many years to protect this site and it will contribute greatly to the heritage tourism assets of this rural area”.
In a statement, Ballintubber Abbey expressed their gratitude to Mr Noonan, “for this gesture of support and look forward to developments getting underway”
They added that there are “exciting times ahead for Ballintubber Abbey”, and congratulated Fr Frank Fahey, who has been heavily involved in promoting the abbey.
The funds have been allocated towards the reconstruction of the east wing of the Abbey.