Roscrea's Monaincha Abbey among sites receiving funding

One of Roscrea's best kept secrets - the 12th Century monastic island Monaincha Abbey - will benefit from significant funding to develop three sites in Tipperary.

Once home to 800 monks who were led by the enigmatic monk Elisarius, Monaincha Abbey near Roscrea was once an island where women were forbidden from visiting. The site, which has a remarkable otherworldly aesthetic, is infrequently visited by locals or tourists due to no facilities to assist with walking safely to the boggy site.

However, that will soon change after €197,991 has been allocated to creating a looped walk at the historic site - which has been previously recognised as the 27th Wonder of the World. The genesis of the Monaincha plan stretches back as far as 2013 and saw multiple stakeholders such as Coillte and Tipperary County Council work with landowners to realise the plans.

This morning Deputy Michael Lowry welcomed the total funding of €847,991 for the development of three outdoor recreation amenities in Tipperary, which are all aimed at encouraging outdoor activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, and cycling.

Pictured above is Monaincha Abbey near Roscrea. Photo: D. Keegan

The monies are part of the ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’ – National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Fund and the three Tipperary projects will receive the following:

• Monaincha Abbey Looped Walk (Roscrea) - €197,991 to upgrade the existing trail and develop a looped walk at Monaincha Abbey

• Tipperary Town to Limerick Junction Trail - €200,000 to upgrade the Tipperary Town to Limerick Junction walkway and cycleway

• Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Blueway - €450,000 to upgrade 20km of the Suir Blueway Tipperary between Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir

"The goal of Embracing Ireland's Outdoor Fund is to build on the outdoor walking momentum that became popular during the Pandemic and awoke people’s wish to investigate our local countryside", Deputy Lowry said.

"The Embracing Ireland's Outdoors Initiative is an ambitious and revolutionary National Outdoor Recreation Strategy that will also have considerable economic advantages for rural communities across the country.

"I am delighted to welcome this investment for Tipperary and would encourage everyone to spend more time outside to enhance both mental and physical health, as well as our overall quality of life", Deputy Lowry said.