Famine and Restoration

Famine and Restoration

The initial effort to restore the Abbey church was made in 1846. The intention then was to re-roof not only the nave but also the transepts. However, the disastrous famine of 1847 resulted in a significant decrease in Ireland’s population, and all work on the Abbey had to cease. Forty years later, another generation took up the task of restoration. Help and assistance came from various quarters, including individuals with no connection whatsoever to the parish. The restoration of an Irish Abbey, then seven centuries old, where the praises of God had never ceased, even during the Penal days, captured the imagination of the public and touched the hearts of exiles worldwide, proud of their Irish heritage. We can still read letters from those of Irish descent in America, Australia, and far-away New Zealand who had learned of the restoration work and hastened to offer their support. In 1966, under the direction of Fr. Tom Egan, the nave of the Abbey was restored and roofed in time for the 750th anniversary of its foundation. In 1997, the Chapter House and Dorter area were restored and roofed. It is this area in particular that now accommodates the thousands of young people who come each year for retreats and Faith Formation Programs. Plans are underway to restore the entire east wing of the Abbey into a new, modern Heritage and Interpretation Centre. This project has been in the planning stage since 2016. We hope to see significant progress on this project in late 2023 or early 2024.