Published: 21 July 2025
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at last month’s Community Conversation at Ballintubber Abbey. 🕊️
It was an evening of updates, reflections, and most importantly, listening. Together, we explored the Abbey’s future: from essential maintenance and restoration to our new Strategic Plan and ambitious development projects. Your ideas and feedback were invaluable, and many are already being put into action.
At Ballintubber, the Abbey has always been shaped by the people around it. This gathering reminded us once again that our story is not just about buildings, but about community, faith, and hope.
A Vision Set in Motion
The idea of a Cultural and Heritage Visitor Centre has been years in the making. First dreamed of by Fr. Fahey in 2008, this vision sought not only to preserve the Abbey’s stones and history, but also its spirit and meaning.
Together with Con Lydon, who has been a driving force since the beginning, that vision has now become a structured, well-funded, and community-backed project.
What We’re Building Together
The old east wing, derelict for centuries, is being transformed into a three-storey Cultural and Heritage Visitor Centre:
- First floor: an immersive journey through the Abbey’s 800-year history.
- Second floor: dedicated to Tóchar Phádraig, the ancient pilgrim path to Croagh Patrick.
- Top floor: a quiet, reflective space for the spiritual journey we all share.
This will be more than a museum. With interactive exhibits, universal accessibility, and a blend of heritage and innovation, the Centre will welcome everyone, children and adults, locals and visitors, people of all faiths or none.
Where We Are Now
Since our last update, enormous progress has been made:
- ✅ Planning permission and full architectural drawings are complete.
- ✅ Howley Haynes Cooney appointed as lead architects.
- ✅ Mayo County Council is managing the project, with a dedicated Capital Delivery Team in place since September 2024.
- ✅ A steering group has been meeting monthly since November 2024.
- ✅ In January, the interpretative design team We Are Bright spent two days on site, walking the Abbey grounds and Tóchar to shape how our story will be told.
- ✅ We have launched our Strategic Plan, new website, and online booking system.
- ✅ In May, meetings with Mayo Co Co, the National Monuments Service, and OPW secured Ministerial Consent.
- ✅ Heating systems for the new Centre are under review, and Howley Haynes Cooney are preparing the Stage 2B Report for Department approval.
- ✅ Tender documents will be published in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead:
- 🛠️ On-site works are scheduled to begin in March 2026, with the Centre opening in Summer 2027.
So while there is work still to do, we are on solid ground, and the journey is gathering momentum.
Restoration & Essential Projects Ahead
Even as the new Centre moves forward, the Abbey itself still needs urgent care. Among the immediate priorities are:
- Restoring the Holy Trinity stained-glass window by Gabriel Loire, now damaged and requiring significant repairs.
- Redeveloping the Chapter House into a ticketing office and gift shop, which is not included in the scope of works for the new development.
- Replacing the wooden replica church (built in the 1990s by a FÁS team, and destroyed in Storm Ewoyn) a vital part of our guided tour story, representing the first church on this site dating back to St Patrick in 441AD.
- Repairing paving, updating toilet blocks, improving signage, and upgrading electrical systems at Elizabeth’s House.
For context:
- Repairs to the Abbey’s main entrance pillars recently cost €28,737.66, including specialist conservation work and engineering reports.
- Rebuilding the replica wooden church alone will cost over €35,000.
These figures underline just how much constant care and investment is needed to preserve the Abbey for future generations.
Recent Grants & Community Support
We are deeply grateful for recent grant support that has allowed vital projects to progress:
- €22,500 from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) for Tóchar upgrades: 14 stiles replaced, a new bridge by Hayes Mechanical, plus major drainage and fencing works.
- €25,000 from Fáilte Ireland for our new website and online booking system.
- €11,500 from the Credit Union to make the Celtic Furrow safe, including removing dangerous buildings and improving fencing. This site is now being developed into a community garden.
- And most recently: success in our CLÁR funding application to tar the Celtic Furrow car park, an essential facility for visitors, Crave at the Cottage, and as a school bus pick-up and drop-off point.
How You Can Be Part of It
There are many ways to support Ballintubber Abbey’s journey:
- Book a guided tour—whether you’re local or visiting, you’ll discover something new.
- Shop in our gift shop, where many items are crafted in Mayo.
- Light a candle or walk the Tóchar as part of your own pilgrimage.
- Join our fundraising community, volunteer, or run an event.
- Spread the word – follow us on social media, like and share our updates.
It’s not just about giving, it’s about belonging.
Final Thought
Ballintubber Abbey has always been more than stone and mortar. It is spirit, people, and pilgrimage.
Together, we’ve preserved it.
Now, let us reimagine it for future generations.
Be part of something sacred.
Be part of something lasting.
Be part of something special. ✨
👉 If you’d like to support the Abbey’s journey, through fundraising, volunteering, or by getting involved, please email Suellen McKenna – manager@ballintubberabbey.ie