High Cross at Durrow to open to public again

It has been revealed this week that public access to the ancient monastic site and High Cross at Durrow Abbey will be re-instated from April 20 next. The Abbey's summer season will be officially opened at a special ceremony attended by OPW Minister Brian Hayes at 2pm on April 30. The news was welcomed by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail members this week as well as Durrow High Cross Committee. However Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen called for funding to be put in place to complete plans for Durrow Abbey in order for it to be developed as a major tourist attraction in the midlands and Chairperson of Durrow High Cross Committee Helen Bracken said her group will be pushing for the same. Welcoming the news Fine Gael's Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said the move is "a very significant tourism announcement for Offaly and the entire Midlands region". Deputy Corcoran Kennedy pointed out that she was instrumental in inviting Minister Hayes to visit Durrow Abbey last September and that she has since then worked closely with the Durrow Abbey Action Committee, Minister Hayes office and Failte Ireland in order to restore public access. "I am absolutely thrilled that the OPW have taken a decision to provide summer season opening at Durrow Abbey and High Cross," she said. "This is a very important and significant first step on the road to restoring this ancient monastic site to the very centre of the tourist attractions in the Midlands region." The deputy also pledged to continue working with stakeholders to further develop the site over the coming months. Meanwhile Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen pointed out that the previous government "invested greatly" in the Durrow project. "While I welcome this long overdur announcement, I am calling on Minister Hayes to forge ahead with the original plans for the Durrow High Cross area to be developed as a major tourist attraction," he said. He called for funds to be made available to renovate the gate lodge as a gift and coffee shop, to provide parking spaces and to carry out the necessary road works at the site. Deputy Cowen commended the work of the Durrow High Cross Committee and promised to work with them in the future to help maximise Durrow's tourism potential. Chairperson of Durrow High Cross Committee Helen Bracken thanked Deputy Corcoran Kennedy and other local politicians for their efforts in progressing the project this far. "It's great to see it open to the public in a formal way," she said on Thursday. She described the move as "a major step" and praised the OPW for the restoration work completed so far. However she said the committee will continue to press for work to advance further. "We want to ensure Durrow becomes a must on the tourist trail," she said.