Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 155 No. 24

Restoration of Fethard Abbey.

Mr. T. Hayes

I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter which is of very significant interest to the people of my constituency. I am aware other Oireachtas Members have also raised it with the Minister.

The church in Fethard, known locally as Fethard Abbey, was built in 1305. The original church is still standing and has been in use since that date with the exception of one brief period. Some alterations occurred during the past 700 years. The monastery in which the monks resided is now a ruin, as is what was at one time the Lady Chapel. The central area of the church has survived well although some of the alterations detract from the imposing age and structure of this medieval church.

A reputable and experienced group of consultant engineers was engaged to examine the building and prepare a report on it. They estimated it would cost in the region of £600,000 to carry out necessary restoration and upgrading work at Fethard Abbey. A significant sum of £150,000 has been raised in Fethard town over the past 20 months. Left to the community, it would take in the region of eight years to reach the required amount, by which time costs will have increased and the generosity of local people will have been exhausted.

The abbey is a jewel in the crown of the medieval walled town and is the best preserved abbey of its kind in Ireland. Fethard is located between Cashel and Kilkenny, two important tourist locations which attract huge numbers of visitors annually. It is imperative that necessary works are undertaken to ensure the future of this old church and that there will be no cause to lament its condition in the years ahead.

As I said, a sum of £150,000 has been raised locally and, according to predictions, the total will be almost £200,000 before the end of the year. A local businessman has pledged to contribute £100,000 as a once off donation, which is a significant gesture. There is an urgent need for the Minister to consider this important project and to examine if a major contribution can be made to it.

The tourism potential of this part of County Tipperary is totally unexploited. If this project was completed, there would be a huge jump in the number of tourists to the locality. The large number of tourists who visit the Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny adds to the argument in favour of a contribution to the Fethard project. I ask the Minister to give this good community project, which would be self-sustaining for many years, a once off contribution. This would allow tourists to enjoy this wonderful, historic and important example of medieval times.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The Augustinian foundation in Fethard, known as Holy Trinity Priory and locally as "The Abbey", was founded around 1305. The friars remained there until the dissolution of the monastery in 1540. The property was granted to Edmund Butler, Baron of Dunboyne, in 1544. The Augustinian links with Fethard continued until the 17th century and the Provincial Superior of the Order lived in the town from 1646 to 1649. The friars returned early in the 19th century, rebuilding the church almost immediately in 1820. The church is still in use today.

As the church is in private ownership and still in use for ecclesiastical purposes, Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department is precluded from incurring any expenditure in relation to it. However, I am glad to inform the Senator that adequate legal protection is afforded to Fethard Abbey, County Tipperary, as it is included on the record of monuments and places under section 12(1) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, notice of which is being published in the national and local newspapers this week. Section 12(3) of the Act makes it obligatory for any individual wishing to carry out works at the site to give two months notice in writing of their proposal to Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department.

This legislation provides the means to accelerate the statutory protection of the estimated 140,000 monuments and places which are in private ownership throughout the State. In addition, Dúchas, the Heritage Service, has responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of approximately 700 national monuments in its direct care.

It has committed approximately £1.9 million to projects at national monument sites in County Tipperary under the EU operational programme for tourism, 1994-9. A fine example of one of these projects is the Mainguard in Clonmel. Following extensive archaeological excavation, restoration is now underway with the provision of an exhibition on the history of the building completing the project. Works at Roscrea Castle have been underway for a number of years, involving the conservation and restoration of the castle, round tower and friary with the provision of an exhibition in the castle and a further interpretative facility at the round tower. The upgrading of the exhibition material at Ormonde Castle, Carrick-on-Suir, is also underway and is expected to be completed later this year.

In addition to the extensive programme of works funded by the EU, Dúchas, the Heritage Service, has responsibility for the conservation and maintenance of approximately 150 national monuments in the southern national monuments maintenance region. Extensive conservation works are merited at important sites such as Kells Priory, County Kilkenny, Athassel Abbey, County Tipperary and Nenagh Castle. Further work is also required at a large number of other sites and, subject to the availability of resources, these works will be addressed on completion of the EU programme.

I appreciate that Fethard Abbey is of architectural and historic significance and I assure the Senator that Dúchas, the Heritage Service, would be prepared to give advice on any proposed works which would ensure the preservation of the abbey.

The Seanad adjourned at 8.15 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 June 1998.