New future for Mayo's abbey that refused to die
Attendees at the launch of the Ballintubber Abbey Strategy 2025 to 2028 last week. Picture: Alison Laredo
Ballintubber Abbey, one of Ireland’s most revered religious and heritage sites, has entered a transformative new phase with the official launch of its multi-million euro development programme.
The unveiling also marked the debut of the abbey’s new website and it’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2028, heralding a new chapter for the 800-year-old institution known as “the abbey that refused to die”. The launch day was described as a landmark moment, as the historic Mayo site prepares to welcome a new generation of visitors, pilgrims, and faith-based travellers.
Last year, Ballintubber Abbey was awarded €5.8 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a key initiative of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This substantial investment ensures the completion of the Ballintubber Abbey Cultural and Heritage Visitor Centre, an idea first envisioned in 2008 and now set to become a reality later this year.
The newly-launched website, built as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Digital that Delivers programme, allows visitors to book tours and pilgrim walks online for the first time. Elaine Moyles of Fáilte Ireland spoke at the event, praising Ballintubber’s digital transformation:
“The Abbey’s commitment to enhancing its digital presence is a shining example of how heritage destinations can adapt to the needs of today’s traveller. Through Digital that Delivers, the new website and booking system will help raise Ballintubber’s profile both nationally and internationally.”
Constructed in 1216, Ballintubber Abbey has been a site of continuous worship through centuries of adversity. It was burned down twice and operated throughout the Penal Laws era when Catholic worship was suppressed. Restoration efforts began during the Great Famine, with further conservation in the 1880s and again in the 1960s.
Under the stewardship of Fr Frank Fahey, significant enhancements to the abbey grounds took place in the 1980s, including the integration of the Easter Passion Play and the revival of the site into the ancient Tochar Phádraig pilgrimage route.
Fr Michael Farragher, Parish Priest of Carnacon, Ballintubber and Killawalla, described the day as a celebration of enduring faith and resilience:
“Ballintubber Abbey continues to be a living symbol of hope. As we take this step forward, we honour the past while shaping a future filled with hospitality, spiritual renewal, and cultural richness.”
The concept for a visitor centre was initiated by the Ballintubber Abbey Trust in 2008. After planning permission was granted in 2016, supported by extensive architectural research, the local community rallied to raise €163,000. Additional support from South West Mayo Development Company funded a full architectural investigation.
In 2019, the project secured initial funding of €2.6 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with €350,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, the full scope of the project remained out of reach until a renewed funding application, submitted after the Covid-19 pandemic, resulted in the €5.8 million allocation that now brings the entire vision to completion.
Minister Dara Calleary, representing the Department that played a crucial role in financing this project, was keen to emphasise the Abbey’s national significance.
“Ballintubber is not just a place of worship; it is a cornerstone of our cultural and spiritual identity. In a time of global uncertainty, it is places like this, deeply rooted in heritage, in hope, and in community, that offer us strength. I am proud that my department has been able to help bring this long-awaited vision to fruition.”
Minister Calleary’s deep commitment to the project was evident throughout the planning process, and his department’s funding has been instrumental in ensuring not just the centre’s construction, but also its interpretative infrastructure and long-term impact.
Minister of State Alan Dillon TD also praised the development as a turning point for central Mayo.
“We are writing the next chapter of Ballintubber Abbey. This centre will unlock the site’s potential for tourism, education, and community connection across the wider region.”
Suellen McKenna, Manager of Ballintubber Abbey, acknowledged the vital role played by local supporters and the enduring influence of Fr Frank Fahey:
“His belief in Ballintubber and its role in preserving our cultural and faith heritage has never wavered. His vision laid the groundwork for everything we are celebrating today.”
Con Lydon, of the Ballintubber Abbey Trust Building Committee, reflected on the journey so far.
“This centre is not just a building, it is a space for reflection, welcome, and encounter. It preserves the past, enhances the present, and inspires the future. Ballintubber remains, as always, the abbey that refused to die.”
