Conservation work on historic abbey near Ballyshannon delights campaigners

Former Donegal County Councillor, Barry Sweeny, has publicised his delight about conservation work beginning at Ballyshannon’s Abbey Assaroe.

Funding had been awarded to conserve the historic monument. In 2022, the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group was awarded €20,756 to commission a report on Abbey Assaroe. 

In April 2025, €100,000 was awarded by the Government as part of the Community Monuments Fund, which supports a range of initiatives to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites.”

Abbey Assaroe was founded in 1178 and organised by the Cistercian monks. It has been central to numerous historical events, such as in 1398, when the King of Tyrone, Niall Og O’Neill plundered the abbey.

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The abbey fell into decline in the 17th century, after the last of the Cistercian monks living there were driven out following the Flight of the Earls in 1607.

A social media post by former Fine Gael councillor, Barry Sweeny, read: “After years of discussion, planning, applications, studies, reports, and the divil knows what, it’s just great to see physical work started on the conservation of this extremely important national monument.

“Ballyshannon Regeneration Group, working with the Abbey Mill Trust, landowners, Donegal County Council, Dedalus Architecture, Triur Construction, and the National Monuments Service, are all happy to get the works underway.

“Vegetation will be removed and the walls stabilised in this phase of work.”