Today’s task is the reconstruction of the East Wing of Ballintubber Abbey, reflecting modern architectural design, for which planning has been granted. We hope that this will provide: (A) An Interactive Learning Centre, exploring the pilgrim paths and centres of learning of the medieval ages, that contributed so much to Europe’s Christian identity, heritage and foundational...

Take a very special tour of Ballintubber Abbey from the sky courtesy of Alan Clarke –  to mark 800 years of prayer and worship at this very historical location.   

This Baptismal Font, which is used in the Abbey today, belongs to the old Monastery in the Graveyard and is over 1,000 years old. Therefore it was in use before the Reformation and indeed before the split in the Catholic Church dividing Rome and Constantinople. It is therefore a symbol of past Church Unity and...

This statue was cast by Brother Joseph McNally, a native of Ballintubber, who was a renowned sculptor and artist in Singapore. It was modelled on the statue of “Our Lady of Ballintubber” which was made by Professor Haerkner of the National College of Art, Dublin in 1973. Here Mary’s expression of courage and hope is...

Dancora means “the Bath of the Righteous”. Here pilgirms washed themselves, ritually expressing a cleansing from their sin (having undertaken the Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick) as they were about to return to their homes with a “change of heart”.

These “Dairteachs” or wooden churches served as places of reflection on the Word of God or on nature, in the early Irish Church. Baptism and the Eucharist were more often celebrated in the open air, around wells and in groves in the tradition of our pre-Christian ancestors.

This Crib, which is open all year round, conveys a powerful message “Were Christ to be born in a thousand stables it would be of no avail were He not born in our hearts” – Mister Eckhart.       

Stations in The Abbey (by Imogen Stuart)  The “stations” have been especially commissioned for Ballintubber Abbey, Ireland.  The artist, Imogen Stuart, has captured in these stations the spiritual heritage reflected in XIII century Celtic Crosses.  The simplicity of compositions and delicacy of colours render both the sorrow and serenity of the characters on their way...

Here at the pagan well of Creevagh, Patrick baptised the people in year 441AD Ballintubber takes its name from it Baile Tobair Phádraig or the Townland of Patrick’s Well. Beside the well there is a stone on which the supposed imprint of the Saint’s knee is on it.

The notorious Priest Hunter was buried facing the north where the sun never rises. This was in contrast to the other graves in the graveyard that face the east and the rising sun, a symbol of our resurrection. This ash tree marks his grave.   His story reflects the turbulent times of the Penal Laws.