Moves to address public access issues at historic Mayo landmark

The Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government is seeking to move forward plans to address issues around accessibility at the historic Moyne Abbey, located on the west side of Killala Bay near Ballina.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan has confirmed to Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh that he will continue to work with the OPW, Mayo County Council and local landowners "to explore future access."

At it stands, the OPW can only advise on access for OPW staff and not on public access.

Minister Noonan added: "National monuments in my ownership or guardianship and managed by the Office of Public Works are, for the most part, accessible to the public, or where surrounded by privately owned land, accessible under local arrangements.

"Some monuments acquired in the past do not have a public right of way, but it is my department's intention to acquire such rights, where possible, and with the agreement of landowners.

"In relation to Moyne Abbey, my department is aware of the issues around accessibility to the site, and will continue to work with the OPW, the local authority and local landowners to explore future access."

Moyne Abbey was founded in 1455 by the McWilliam Burke family as a Franciscan friary and it was consecrated in 1462.

It was burnt by Sir Richard Bingham, governor of Connacht , in 1590 during the reformation era.

It is believed monks continued to live there until 1800.