Abbey conservation progress slammed

The old Franciscans seem to have built the Ennis Franciscan Abbey quicker than the Office of Public Works ongoing conservation works, a local county councillor has claimed.
Clare County Councillor Tony Mulqueen has criticised the OPW for its failure to complete conservation works on the historic 13th century abbey, branding it a “disgrace”.
Councillor Mulqueen expressed grave concern about the closure of the abbey for the last three years to facilitate works being completed by the OPW.
The Fine Gael councillor told an Ennis East Electoral Area meeting the whole abbey was boarded up, which meant that tourists who wanted to stop off in a visit to a medieval site in the centre of town couldn’t even see the building.
His late father, Frank, had the keys to the abbey at his adjoining flower business during the 50s and would open the abbey for visitors.
Councillor Mulqueen said the amount of tourists standing outside the building was amazing yet they couldn’t even take a photograph because a large panel has been put across the railings.
He urged the council to write a letter of protest to the OPW, having requested the area engineer for an update on the works being carried out on this tourist attraction.
Senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea said the council understood from contact with the OPW there have been some delays in relation to the project at Ennis Friary.
“The discovery of a large number of burials, where the floating foundations for the glazing panels in the transcept were to be placed, has resulted in a short delay.
“The intention is to open to the public in late June but in a limited way. The advantage is that the visitors will get to see the masons working and will see progress being made.
“The OPW is also looking at an extension to the season and some flexibility on admission charges,” he said.
The OPW previously confirmed that its €100,000 renovation of Ennis Friary is being funded under the National Development Plan (NDP) and is being carried out by their district workforce.
Ennis Friary holds a rich collection of carved stone including the Creagh Tomb, ‘Ecce Homo’ and Royal Tomb Canopy and also has remains of wall paintings.
A conservation plan prepared in 2001 identified the need to protect these and other elements of the Friary. The refurbishment works also include the provision of new interpretation panels.
Although a ruin now, Ennis Friary was once home to over 300 Franciscan friars and 600 students.
It was established in 1240 when the Franciscans were invited to the area and given land by Donncha O’Brien, King of Thomond. Both the powerful O’Brien family and later the MacMahons and the MacNamaras continued to provide support to the Franciscan community for centuries afterwards.
The 13th century Franciscan friary has numerous 15/16th century sculptures carved in the local hard limestone. The visitor can see the figure of St Francis displaying the stigmata, an ornamented screen, a representation of the Virgin and Child and the Ecce Home. The Chancel is lit by the magnificent east window.