Kilbarron Castle & Church-Heritage at Risk
Kilbarron Castle and Church Conservation Group held their Heritage Week event on Sunday 23rd August in the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Primary School at Creevy, some two miles outside Ballyshannon on the Rossnowlagh road.
The afternoon event began at 2.30pm and after introductions Stephanie Stott asked the question: Why do people visit archaeological sites, and how can meaningful access be maintained without placing heritage sites at greater risk?
Drawing on new research from Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, including findings from Kilbarron Castle, this talk explores the relationship between visitor motivations, experience and archaeological conservation along the west coast of Ireland. The research found that visitors are commonly motivated by opportunities to engage with the landscape, explore the natural environment and experience archaeological remains. However, walking and climbing on monuments, informal pathways and limited awareness of the effects of footfall can contribute to the
deterioration of already vulnerable sites.
The talk considered how accessible interpretation, guided experiences, carefully managed pathways and greater awareness of conservation can help visitors engage with archaeological places more responsibly. It will also examine the importance of collaboration between communities, landowners, heritage managers and tourism providers. By connecting visitor experience with conservation priorities, sustainable site management can support meaningful access while ensuring the protection of archaeological heritage.
Stefanie Stott specialises in cultural heritage conservation and sustainable tourism, with expertise across archaeological and historic sites, objects, collections and visitor management. She has significant international experience in conservation practice, heritage management, preventive conservation, higher education and professional training. Her multidisciplinary research at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, examines sustainable approaches to the conservation and management of archaeological sites, with particular emphasis on visitor impacts, climate adaptation, community engagement and the integration of conservation within archaeological tourism.
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 Heritage Research Group and the ATU Sustainable Tourism and Visitor Experience Lab.
Barry Sweeney gave the assemble group a rundown of the background to the recent work on conserving the ruins of Assaroe Abbey situated close by outside Ballyshannon on the Rossnowlagh road. As well as conserving the few remaining walls the effort is to discover the footprint of the abbey. It is believed that part of the older graveyard adjacent to the abbey was likely part of the abbey cloister.
The Cistercian abbey was founded by Fláherí Ó Maoildoraigh, king of Tír Conaill in 1184. The abbey was dissolved in 1607 and many of the walls were demolished and used in the expansion of Ballyshannon Castle under the instructions of Sir Henry Ffolliott, Governor of the castle and latterly granted most of the former Abbey lands in Kilbarron, Inishmacsaint and Drumholme parishes in South Donegal.
The Ballyshannon Regeneration Group gave guided tours of the Abbey on Sunday 16th August at the start of Heritage Week see: Conservation of Abbey Assaroe Tour | National Heritage Week 15th – 23rd August 2026
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.
There was also a pictorial exhibition of the work carried out to date by the Kilbarron Castle and Church Conservation Group on both ruins. Completing conservation work on Kilbarron Church in 2025. More work on telling its story will hopefully be completed in 2027 with information boards being constructed near the site.
Work on Kilbarron Castle is also being planned for 2027 and was discussed on the afternoon. There was also tea, coffee and light refreshments at the event and groups got together to discuss issues around conservation.