State buys Durrow Abbey to keep out commercial developers

The Irish Times

The Government has bought Durrow Abbey and its accom-panying 6th century monastic site in Co Offaly at a cost of €3.175 million. The purchase of the sixth century site, founded by St Columcille, and part of the historic Durrow Abbey estate, is designed to protect the Abbey and heritage elements from proposed commercial development on the lands. The vendor was Ms Sheila O'Brien. The Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Mr Tom Parlon, de- scribed the acquisition as "a true asset in the State's property portfolio".

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