Kilbarron Castle & Church Conservation Group

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Kilbarron Castle & Church Conservation Group

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The group is working to conserve the ruins of Kilbarron Castle & Church,, Co. Donegal

This page has been created to raise the awareness in the local community and wider world of the historical importance of Kilbarron Castle and to aid in the work to conserve the ruins of the castle in order to prevent its further deterioration. This is a voluntary group and we welcome any help and expertise to further this aim. More recently we have added the ruins of old Kilbarron Church to our interests as this place is intrinsically linked to the castle. We do however wish to conserve these ruins by following best practice as set doen by the National Monument Service and the Heritage Council.

15/09/2026

Kilbarron Castle & Church Conservation group are holding their AGM on Thursday 24th September at 7.30 pm in the Friary hall just behind the Friary in Rossnowlagh. We invite anyone with an interest in the work of conserving these ancient sites for future generations to come along and hear about our future plans etc.

01/09/2026

Kilbarron Castle & Church Conservation Group held their Heritage Week event on Sunday 23rd August. After introductions, Stephanie Stott spoke about the sustainability of visiting ancient historical sites with limited access.
Afterwards Barry Sweeney told the assemble group about he recent work on the conservation of Abbey Assaroe near Ballyshannon.
After the talks there was tea& coffee with light refreshments and afterwards some lively discussions on conservation of historic sites and the difficulties for the voluntary groups around the country who are endeavouring to carry out the work.

21/08/2026

Barry Sweeey will talk about the current work and future plans for the conservation of the ruins of Assaroe Abbey at the Kilbarron Castle & Church Heritage Event on Sunday 23rd August in the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Primary School in Creevy.
Barry is an artist, a Design Graduate of the University of Ulster. He has worked extensively as a decorative artist throughout Ireland, Europe, US and now works as an artist back in his hometown of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Inspired by all that the north west of Ireland has to offer. He is also deeply involved in various community groups and has served as a county councillor and chairperson of the Donegal Municipal District. Currently he is involved in the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group who are undertaking this massive work on the ruins of Assaroe Abbey.
The Cistercian abbey was founded by Fláherí Uí Maoildoraidh, King of Tír Connaill in 1184. Later other Kings of Tír Connaill bestowed extensive lands to the Abbey, comprising of most of the lands in the parishes of Kilbarron Inishmacsaint and Drumhome. The abbey was dissolved in 1601 and later much of the stonework of the abbey was demolished and brought to Ballyshannon Castle to improve its defences by its governor Sir Henry Ffolliott.

06/08/2026

Why do people visit archaeological sites, and how can meaningful access be maintained without placing heritage sites at greater risk?

This will be discussed at the Kilbarron Castle & Church Heritage Week event on Sunday 23rd August starting at 2.30pm in the Micheál Ó Cléirigh Primary School situated on the main road between Ballyshannon and Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal.
The talk will be given by Stephanie Stott, who specialises in cultural heritage conservation and sustainable tourism, with expertise across archaeological and historic sites, objects, collections and visitor management.
Stefanie is a Director on the Board of Management of the Institute of Conservators–Restorers of Ireland (ICRI) and represents ICRI as its delegate to the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations. She is also a member of the ATU (Sligo) Heritage Research Group and the ATU Sustainable Tourism and Visitor Experience Lab

01/08/2026

We are presently working on our Heritage Week event on Sunday 23rd August which will take place in the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Primary School in Creevy some two miles from Ballyshannon on the Rossnowlagh road. The event stats at 2.30pm and we have two speakers. Stephanie Stott will talk about Heritage at risk and Barry Sweeny will talk about the conservation plans for the nearby Assaroe Abbey. There will be a n exhibit of the progress to date on our Kilbarron Castle and Church projects.
If weather permits we will have an optional field trip to the nearby Kilbarron sites. Refreshments afterwards and some tray bakes to die for!!
For more information see: https://www.kilbarroncastle.org/heritage-week-event-sunday-august-23rd-2026/

30/05/2026

A fine spell of good late May weather so time for a bit of tidying at the Kilbarron old church.

We use hand tools to clear the grass in and around at the church site and haul it away to encourage the spring wild flowers.

23/12/2025

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Thank you for all your support in 2025 and hoping for your continued support in 2026.

Address

Creevy

Website

https://www.kilbarroncastle.org/

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