Heritage Week 2025

Ballinahown won the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village in the National Tidy Towns competition in 2024. St. Colmcille’s Church and grounds are a vocal point in our village. It is the home to the ‘Clonmacnois Chalice’, dating back to 1647. The church will celebrate 125 years in 2027. The church is in good shape, however structural problems have arisen with the roof, causing water to enter and damp to develop over the last number of years. A full review of the building needs to take place to understand the current state of the structure.

The church currently uses traditional lighting, the report should set-out more climate friendly LED plans. Heating is via an oil boiler. The report should set-out more sustainable forms of heating and energy management. These measures will ensure a lower carbon footprint for the building. The report should address water management within the church and grounds – how water is captured from the roof and reused (toilets, cleaning or watering of plants).

A clear plan for the church grounds from a biodiversity perspective needs to be established, grassland management, incorporation of the Village Biodiversity plan is critical. We want to secure the future of the church building and grounds as a place for future generations to visit the ‘Clonmacnois Chalice’, both from the local community but also visitors.

Martin Murray, Conservation Architect will set down his plans, communicating how he will prepare the Conservation Report, incorporating an archaeological and biodiversity assessment.