Ballinakill Abbey

Heritage Week 2023

Marty Ward

The green man, Ballinakill Abbey

Pine marten

Alf Seale

Work in progress, east wall

Marty Ward

Glinsk Community Development have been successful in receiving Heritage Council Community Grant Scheme funding 2021, 2022 and 2023. We also acknowledge receipt of funding and support from Galway County Council and St. Jarlath’s Credit Union.

Multi-discipline Team of Heritage Professionals

The first year saw the preparation of relevant surveys and plans from a multi-discipline team including Conservation Architect Geraldine McManus, Consultant Archaeologist Richard Crumlish and Ecologist Ruth Hanniffy and Bird Specialist John Lusby. The reports inform all agencies on the best approach in the conservation and management of Ballinakill Abbey. See attached documents.

Pine Marten

It was hoped conservation works would be finished in time for us to organise an in person event at Ballinakill to showcase the works during Heritage Week 2023. However, the timescale of the project had to be delayed due to our ecologist discovering a pine marten had made her home in the north east wall of the building! We sought advice from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. After their representative inspected the site we were advised that the most prudent course was to delay works for a few weeks. This allows the pine marten plenty of time to vacate the building with her young!

Dominicans Return to Ballinakill

It is proposed to have an in-person event on completion of the works. We would like to celebrate the conservation of this abbey with all the people that helped us on this journey. We would also hope to see the return of the Dominicans to Ballinakill Abbey for that event.