Our ancestors headstone - Ellen Egan of Clongowna d 1837 - was on the floor of the Dominican Abbey In Lorrha when we last saw it. When we visited Ireland in June 2023, renovations were underway and we could not access the ruins of the Abbey. Does anyone know if the gravestones are all still there? A relative visited yesterday and said he could not see it.
thanks for your help,
Sue Egan
Sue,
Normally when you have work being carried out in Roman Catholic churches, gravestones are put aside until the work is complete.
They may not be put back in the original setting.
Your relative should contact the Parish Priest, assuming he resides in the area.
Regards,
Hi McCoy,
this work is being carried out on the ruins of the Dominican Cathedral in Lorrha - does anyone know what is actually happening? It’s been ongoing since June 2023.
thanks,
Sue
Sue,
I contacted a friend in Lorrha who said that the headstones were covered with hessian to protect them during the renovations. The work was started pre-Covid and was planned to take 5 years. Covid interrupted that so I would say that there is probably a couple of years to go before completion. As an aside, did you know that the headstones were originally standing and were laid flat in about 1939?
Best wishes, Kieran
Thanks, Kieran. That is very useful, if disappointing for those who are making a once-in-a-lifetime visit. It’s very important that the ruins are properly maintained though. We first visited in 1993 and have been several times since.
Would your friend have a contact in the department conducting the work? We have a family connection to the area and would be keen to contact them directly.
regards,
Sue from Australia
Sue,
I contacted the Office of Public Works yesterday morning in relation to the works being carried out there.
I have received a reply back that the National Monuments Service are carrying out work at the Dominican site.
The sender was deirdre Duffy.
You can contact her at deirdre.duffy@opw.ie
Regards
Thanks for that - it saves me looking it up!
Best wishes, Kieran
Thanks so much McCoy and Kieran. I will contact Deirdre and pass the details on to our relative.
regards,
Sue
Hi Sue,
I was at the Dominican Abbey in Lorrha just a few weeks ago, and while parts of the site were still fenced off due to the ongoing renovations, many of the headstones were visible and appeared undisturbed.
regards,