Sadly, in January 2023, we were obliged to withdraw. It is with great disappointment that we have learned that individuals have illegally occupied the friary church. Such occupation constitutes trespass onto property and also presents serious health and safety concerns.
These individuals have been requested to vacate the building
and turn over the keys but despite this request they have failed and
refused to do so.
The Abbey House of Prayer Group understood at all times that their access to the Friary Church building was under a bare licence to occupy which could be terminated on the provision of three weeks’ notice: in fact, much greater notice than that was provided.
Reasons for Closure
The Franciscan Order wish to state again the reasons for the withdrawal from Clonmel, are as outlined in their statement issued in September 2022.
“After much consideration and evaluation, we the Irish Franciscans, must today announce our withdrawal from Clonmel. This is a sad and difficult decision for us, as we have spent over 700 years in this town, offering our services and continually benefiting from the support of its people. This difficult decision is however unavoidable, as we like so many religious bodies deal with and respond to our ageing and reducing membership.”
A number of media interviews, statements and social media posts have been published over the last number of days and the Franciscan Order would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the factually incorrect statements which have been made.
Notification of Closure
It has been stated that the Abbey House of Prayer Group was given only 10 days’ notice of the decision to close the church. This is factually incorrect. The public notification of closure was issued on 20th December 2024.
However, well in advance of this, on the 29th October 2024, two friars from the Franciscan leadership team travelled to Clonmel and met with two representatives of the Abbey House of Prayer Group.
At that meeting those representatives were informed that the Franciscans would be closing the church building. This decision was confirmed in writing on the 1st November 2024.
Initially, the closure date was proposed to be the 18th December 2024, but out of consideration for a forthcoming concert, the Franciscans extended the date to 31st December 2024, on foot of a request from the Abbey House of Prayer Group.
Financial Contribution
It has been incorrectly stated that all costs including insurance, in relation to the property have been covered by the Abbey House of Prayer Group.
Since the Franciscans withdrew from Clonmel in January 2023 they have provided approximately €160,000 for the insurance, upkeep and maintenance of the building.
Plans for the Building
The Franciscans want to state categorically that there is no truth in the statement that ‘they intend to convert the church into accommodation for rental purposes’.
No decision regarding the future use of the building has been made at this time.
The Franciscans are very aware of their responsibility for this listed building, and it will not be allowed to “fall into decay.”
In recognition of the affection of the people of Clonmel for the shrine of St Anthony, the Franciscans have offered to cover the cost of the transfer of the much-loved shrine to the nearby parish church.
The Franciscans would dearly wish to have been able to maintain their presence in Clonmel, but regretfully this was simply not possible.