FUNDING has been granted to help prevent further deterioration of ancient walls at a 500-year-old Donegal abbey and graveyard.
It has been confirmed that €2,200 under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme has been allocated to Ray Historical Society in Manorcunningham.
Walls surrounding the Ray Graveyard and Abbey, just outside Manor, have been collapsing at an alarming rate in recent times.
Confirmation of the funding has been welcomed locally.
“This announcement is for the conservation of Ray Abbey and Graveyard, for repairs and to improve access,” said Cllr Donal Coyle, Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
“I am delighted to see this money allocated for the works. This is a very historical and important site in our area and we have to ensure the preservation of such sites.
“Among the first motions I tabled to this MD was for repairs to the outer walls of the graveyard. I am delighted to hear that money has now been secured for these works.”
Both the Abbey and the graveyard – in which people of all denominations are interred – are listed among National Monuments and date back to the 1600s.
