Turlough Round Tower and cemetery wall restoration progressing

THE Turlough Round Tower and church roadside wall restoration is progressing, with the first 20 metres completed.

The old crumbling concrete wall that was built in the 1950s was in a dangerous state of collapse for many years. A new replacement wall was proposed 30 years ago.

The regulations associated with the high profile National Monument - that of the round tower, church and the ecclesiastical enclosure that once surrounds these monuments on the hillock in the cemetery - proved to be a daunting task in getting the project off the ground.

Turlough Archaeological and Heritage Society has worked hard over the last two years dealing with the rules and regulations associated with permission to carry out work in the environs of this important National Monument.

Turlough Round Tower is a fine structure, standing 75ft high and complete with its conical cap. Turlough and Killala round towers are the only two of the five round towers in Co. Mayo that have their conical caps.

Round towers in Ireland date to between the 9th and 12th century. Turlough Round Tower is a beacon in the local landscape and it is a reminder of a once important monastery and a centre of learning.

The history of the site dates back to St. Patrick who baptised many thousands at the nearby holy well and founded the first church on the site.

Many generations of ancestors and loved ones from Turlough, Parke, Crimlin, Keelogues and Castlebar are laid to rest in this hallowed ground in the shadow of the round tower. In recent years many who have died abroad and have their roots in Turlough have had their ashes buried with their parents, grandparents or scattered in Turlough Cemetery.

Visiting the cemetery is a time of reflection that brings back memories of family and people we knew and loved. Every grave and headstone has a story to tell of a life lived.

Master stone mason Jimmy Burke, who has spent the last two months, five days a week, building the fine stone wall, is witness to the large number of visitors and people visiting the graves of their loved ones in Turlough Cemetery.

The society has been successful in receiving a grant from the Heritage Council and support from Mayo County Council to start the project of building a fitting stone wall that will complement the status of this important monastic site. Local councillors have been generous with funding, directing allocations to the project. A number of private donations have also been made to the society from parishioners and people who have family connections with Turlough and also who have their ancestors interred in Turlough Cemetery. These donations are of immense benefit to progress and finish the work.

As there is a substantial shortfall in funding to complete the build, the society welcomes donations.

The 20 metres of finished wall complements the site and is a fitting example of what can be achieved.

Donations to the project will be acknowledged.