Reassurances on Monasterboice High Crosses in Louth welcomed

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall has said she welcomes the response and reassurance to her letter from Minister for State Patrick O’Donovan about the conservation of the Monasterboice High Crosses. Cllr Hall had written to the Minister last September, whose portfolio includes the Office of Public Works, but says she only received a formal reply on 11 April.

Cllr Hall was concerned about the conservation of the internationally significant monastic crosses and says she has received some reassurance from the Minister that they have not been subjected to too much wear and tear in recent years and that OPW staff regularly carry out inspections of the site. 

Cllr Hall commented: “In 2009, the Monasterboice County Louth Conservation Study, commissioned by the OPW and Louth County Council examined conservation options for the Monasterboice High Crosses as it was at severe risk of vandalism and erosion. It is reassuring that in 2019, the same stone conservator examined Muirdeach’s Cross and found it to be in a very stable condition. The Tall Cross will be examined very soon. 

"However, I am concerned about the effect that global warming will have on the crosses. We are now experiencing high volumes of rain more frequently and who knows how that may affect stability and erosion on the crosses. It is also open to vandalism as we saw recently on the Hill of Tara.

“I look forward to engaging closely with OPW staff that have been instructed by Minister O’Donovan to contact me. The public toilets have now been reopened by Louth County Council and I would hope that this will be an all year-round amenity, not just for the summer season."

Cllr Hall added, "I will continue to liaise with the heritage officer, locals and other stakeholders to ensure that we maximise the potential for tourism to Monasterboice and the greater Drogheda area, but in a sustainable manner that is conducive for human and natural environments."