Public access to the early Christian monastic site and world famous
High Cross at Durrow Abbey, near Tullamore has been blocked because of
concerns by the Road Safety Authority about safety at the entrance, off
the busy N52 road.
Local groups are now pressing for a speedy resolution of the problem,
as it is believed the historic site could draw 50,000 visitors a year
if it were opened to the public.
Planning permission for the safety
measures needed where the entrance meets the N52 is said to be due to
expire shortly.
The works involves widening a long stretch of the road, the removal
and reinstatement of railings and a wall and the creation of a safe
central turning area for people visiting the abbey.
Land at the margins
of the abbey grounds would also have to be raised to the level of the
main road.
The cost was originally estimated at €750,000 but it is believed it
could now be done for less because of the recession.
Ironically, €5
million has already been spent acquiring and carrying out works at
abbey, where the High Cross offers a unique example of an early Irish
religious art form.
Last week, local parish priest, Msgr Sean Heaney, said he would love
to see the area opened up to visitors and a visitor centre developed.
He was backed by Ms Helen Bracken, chairwoman of the Durrow High
Cross committee said the rare Celtic Cross, “must be among the greatest
of Ireland's hidden treasures,” and it was, “high time to bring it to
public view.”
“At a time of a steep economic downturn when huge efforts are being
made to attract tourists to Ireland we need to make the most of our
resources,” she said.
Ms Bracken believes that many of the tourists who visit the popular
Clonmacnois monastic site would be interested in taking in Durrow Abbey
because of its international importance.
But while the OPW had done
“excellent restoration work on the church and graveyard,” visitor
information was needed about the Book of Durrow, the Holy Well, the
Durrow crozier and the abbey and grounds.
Mr Michael Byrne, of Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society
agreed, saying Durrow is now only an hour from Dublin and has great
potential to attract visitors.
“This is the beginning of Christianity in this area and any self-respecting people must recognise its importance,” he said.
Durrow House and its grounds could attract visitors in their own
right but it should be linked with other local places of interest such
as the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre and Locke's Distillery in
Kilbeggan.
Mr Byrne said the derelict original gate lodge to Durrow
Abbey should be restored and used as a visitor centre.
He said a campaign to restore the Durrow monastic site and open it as
a visitor attraction had started in 1991 but the core objective had
still not been realised.