Donegal Town heritage site ready to collapse warns guide

A Donegal Town tour guide has warned that a major heritage site in the town is in danger of collapse if immediate remedial action is not undertaken.

Seamus O'Doherty is concerned that a monument in the historic Abbey graveyard has deteriorated to such an extent that it presents a real danger.

He claims the monument to Doctor H.T.A. Warnock has been slowly shifting over the past few years and is about to smash on the pathway over 20 feet below.

Indeed several important historic, scientific, biological and ecological sites throughout Donegal are under threat due to environmental changes, pollution, human activities and rapidly spreading agriculture.

Mr Doherty, who has written a book called Abbey of Donegal - Headstones and Heritage and is widely regarded as an expert on the site. He has worked as a tour guide at the site for many years and has become increasingly concerned that the condition of the wall adjoining the monument is getting worse. He is particularly worried that because of a huge number of people visiting the site, the chances of an accident happening are increasing too.

The dangerous cracks that have appeared at the base of the monument Photo: Thomas Gallagher

"I take guided tours to this site every day and it was during the recent Heritage Week trips I realised this is an accident waiting to happen."

Outlining the historic importance of the site itself Mr O'Doherty said the Abbey was built in 1474 as a Franciscan convent which has a tragic history linked to Donegal and the O'Donnell family who ruled the land of Tír Chonaill for nearly 400 years.

"By bestowing the land and the fishing rights on the Franciscans, the O'Donnells created a place of piety and learning as well as a place of rest for many of the Donegal chieftains.

"It was also here that the young Red Hugh O'Donnell was educated and the Four Masters wrote the first history of Ireland. The Abbey was later to be overrun by the English and O'Donnell's army laid siege until the arrival of the Spanish Armada at Kinsale in 1601.

"The destruction of the Abbey and the demise of the Gaelic chieftains was followed by the Flight of the Earls and the Plantation of Ulster when the English crown decided that the only way to keep control of Ireland would be to “plant” the confiscated lands with an English soldier, farmers and landlords. The Abbey of Donegal played a major role in the history of Ireland and is a place of major historical significance. Next year in 2024 the Abbey will have its 550th celebrations, not Donegal Town."

Monument

Mr O'Doherty added that the monument in question was erected to Dr W.T.A. Warnock by the people of Donegal Town in 1930 for his services to the community. He was one of the most respected medical doctors in Donegal history.

"Doctor H.T.A. Warnock (1855-1930) was the Medical Officer for Donegal town for over 50 years. He ran the dispensary in the town and according to the headstone inscription was ‘beloved by all, his kindness to the poor was one of the greatest traits of his character’."

Mr Doherty said he has been a tour guide at the Abbey site for a long time and is very concerned that the condition of the wall is getting worse every year. He is particularly worried that because of a huge number of people visiting the site, the chances of an accident happening are increasing too.

"The monument is just above the public entrance to the Abbey graveyard and sits there precariously awaiting its fate. Photographs I have taken show the cracks and how far the ground has shifted and it is now only a matter of time before the whole edifice collapses. Apart from the destruction to the monument, any person or persons walking near the entrance will be in serious danger of injury.

"What is required urgently is a structural engineer to examine the monument and make recommendations on how to repair it. In the meantime, this tour guide would advise all those walking in the area to be careful.

Another view of the damage that has caused local guide Séamus O'Doherty to issue his warning Photo: Thomas Gallagher

"It has got really bad and I'm expecting it to fall any day. The wall is part of the Dr Warnock's grave structure but now cracks have appeared all over it. Every who sees it thinks its going to fall I measure the gaps every year and you can see it pulling out and because our winters are getting wetter  the ground is going to get heavy and once it goes that monument is gone."

Mr O'Doherty believes the memory of Dr Warnock is being sullied by the lack of attention his memorial has received.

"He was a good guy and did a lot for the people of Donegal Town and surrounding areas and deserves to be remembered better than this."

Donegal County Council was approached for a comment in the matter but none had arrived at the time of going to press.