Clonmacnoise Monastic Site to close to public in October

Access to the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site will not be available to the public from mid-October, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed.

Responding to a Dáil question from Offaly Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen, OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, confirmed the imminent site closure, stating that the decision to close the site "has been taken to allow significant enhancement" and "upgrade works progress safely and efficiently during the quieter winter period".

The OPW Minister said "outdoor-only visitor access will resume" while the final elements of the capital project are completed, following the winter season closure.

"The OPW is committed to completing the significant capital works project and delivering enhanced visitor facilities and amenities at the site.

"The OPW is engaging with key stakeholders, including local tourism providers and tour operators, to ensure they are kept informed of the temporary closure and reopening arrangements," Minister Moran added.

Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre is currently undergoing a major modernisation redevleopment following a signing of contracts in April of this year to mark the €10m investment project.

The OPW, supported through the EU Just Transition Fund, commissioned the redevelopment of the visitor centre, including the expansion and refurbishment of the existing facility, as well as an update of site interpretation in the form of a series of exhibition spaces, audio visual experiences and internal and external signage.

The project is designed to improve visitor facilities at the monastic site, including alterations to the existing buildings and the construction of a new extension.