Minister visits Cavan sites for Heritage Week

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, visited Cavan today as part of a nationwide tour celebrating National Heritage Week.

In the early part of the day, the Minister visited community-led heritage initiatives in Bailieborough, before making his way west to Drumlane Abbey, a site of significant ecclesiastical and archaeological interest.

There, he met with members of the Drumlane Heritage Group, who are seeking further support to develop and explore the site’s historic grounds.

The Minister was joined by a high-profile delegation, including Minister of State and local TD Niamh Smyth, TD Brendan Smith, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley, and other elected members of Cavan County Council. Also present were Director of Services Brendan Jennings, representatives from the Heritage Council, National Monuments Service, the Council’s Heritage Office, and officials from the Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt at Drumlane, Minister O’Sullivan praised the preservation efforts at the Abbey: “It’s been an amazing visit to Cavan. The richness and wealth of heritage in this county has blown me away.”

He commended the quality of conservation at Drumlane, describing it as “one of the best” heritage sites he has visited in recent months.

He also acknowledged the group's aspirations to restore other ecclesiastical structures on the grounds and investigate potential underground passages, noting: “There is definitely potential for more work and exploration.”