Possible purchase of historic Laois Abbey raised in the Dáil

The possible purchase of an historic sixth century abbey in Laois was raised in the Dáil last week.

Laois Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming raised the issue in a recent parliamentary question in the Dáil on Tuesday, June 9.

Deputy Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline any contacts by his Department in relation to the possibility of purchasing the building.

In response, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said: “The Office of Public Works has had contact with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to Aghaboe Abbey, Aghaboe, Ballacolla, Co. Laois. The consultation relates to matters concerning the conservation and management of the monument.”

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However, he said, “no purchase negotiations have been undertaken by the OPW in respect of Aghaboe Abbey. Any proposal relating to the future ownership or care of the site would be subject to the appropriate statutory, legal and administrative processes and no decision has been made in this regard,” concluded Minister Moran.

Aghaboe Abbey was founded by St Canice in the sixth century. It grew to be a centre of learning, commerce and agriculture. The original monastery was burned in 1234 and was rebuilt as an Augustinian priory.