Athenry News & Views Summer 2026

Athenry News & Views

hand tools. This body of work was assigned to Mike Harewood & his expert team of stone masons who commenced work on all remaining ivy clad walls in late summer/ early Autumn 2023. The graveyard contains several high status mortuary monuments showing continuity in the use of the site as a burial ground following the ruination of the church/Abbey. Most of the gravestones belong to the 19th & 20th centuries but there are some older monuments with a notable concentration in the south-west corner of the graveyard consisting of recumbent slabs, table tombs, a chest tomb & wall memorials of excellent quality. The cemetery caretaker in conjunction with Gurteen Community Council & the valued assistance from GRD manage & maintain the graveyard ensuring grass cutting is carried out & weeds are controlled during the growing season. In recent years, another cherished tradition has developed with the annual Dawn Mass, introduced following Fr Raymond Sweeney’s appointment to Gurteen/Ballymacward parish. Celebrated as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the ancient Abbey & surrounding graveyard, the Dawn Mass has become one of the most anticipated events in the parish calendar. The atmosphere is both peaceful & uplifting as hundreds gather in the early morning stillness, surrounded by birdsong, mist covered fields & the timeless presence of St. Kerrill’s Abbey. The remarkable attendance each year is a testament to the enduring faith, community spirit & deep connection people feel towards this sacred place. Today, St. Kerrill’s Abbey stands proudly restored & resplendent; its historic character & architectural beauty revealed once again. The careful conservation works have transformed the site; intricate stonework has been uncovered alongside historic wall monuments that had long been concealed beneath dense vegetation. The magnificent south

St. Kerrill’s ‘Bed’

Burke and Cunniffe Tomb

funded through the Community Monuments Fund, an initiative of the National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, administered by Galway County Council & supported by Gurteen Community Council, Galway County Council, The Heritage Council & the Galway Community Archaeology Project. A special word of thanks to Pat Roberts, whose vision, determination & practical expertise were instrumental in bringing this ambitious conservation project to fruition. Recognising both the historical importance & vulnerable condition of the Abbey, Pat successfully drove the preparation of the Conservation Management Plan & worked tirelessly to secure the necessary funding & professional support. His commitment, organisational skills & passion for local heritage were central to the success of the restoration which has left a lasting legacy for the parish & future generations. The restoration of St. Kerrill’s Abbey stands as a wonderful example of what can be achieved when community spirit, local knowledge & professional expertise come together with a shared purpose. Today, the Abbey once again stands proudly at the heart of the parish; now preserved, protected & nicely admired, ensuring that this treasured landmark will continue to tell its story for centuries to come.

window, with its elegant tracery & craftsmanship, once again dominates the skyline & serves as a striking focal point for visitors approaching from every direction. One’s gaze is naturally drawn towards it when climbing the hill at Cloonkeenkerrill on the route from Gurteen/ Ballymacward direction or rounding Finnerty’s Cross from Colemanstown. By day, the restored stonework showcases the skill of its medieval builders. By night, the south window is beautifully illuminated throughout the year thanks to the generous provision of electricity from the nearby home of Ger Ward & Páraic O’Connor, which creates a truly breathtaking landmark that can be seen from afar. The extensive conservation works undertaken over the last few years have not only secured the structural integrity of the Abbey but have also restored a sense of pride in one of East Galway’s most treasured historic sites. Through the dedication of volunteers, community leaders, conservation specialists & welcome funding partners, St. Kerrill’s Abbey has now been preserved for generations to come, ensuring that this remarkable monument is a valuable & iconic piece of heritage that is an intrinsic part of the local area. Gurteen Community Council are indebted to the entire project team including 7L Conservation Architects, John Britton Engineers, Dominic Delaney Archaeologists & local resident Pat Roberts, who spearheaded the project through both phases. The project was

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