This year Ballintubber Abbey, “the Abbey that refused to die”, is celebrating its 800 years of existence, 1216-2016. The programme includes events in the Abbey, Church Island, The Celtic Furrow, Tóchar Phádraig and activities in the community: music, Irish dancing, cycling, special concert, family day, guided tours and GAA.

There will be four interesting lectures about the Abbey and its history:

• Life in Ireland when the Abbey was Built by Bro. Colmán O Clábaigh, Glenstal Abbey.

• The Abbey in the time of Cromwell by Prof. John Cunningham, Trinity College.

• The Abbey in the time of Tiobóid na Long, by Dr. Anne Chambers.

• Before the Abbey…..Monasteries along the Tóchar and in the West, by Dr. Edel Bhreathnach.

On Sunday 24th July at 11.30 am there will be a Special Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam. The Ballintubber Choir will sing the special Mass composed by Liam Lawton on this occasion. 

There will be also the “Gathering” during the last week in July and first week in August. All people from Ballintubber will be invited to come back home and take part in the celebrations.

On Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd August the Passion Play will take place in the specially prepared landscaped grounds of the Abbey at 9.30 pm. This moving drama, played for 28 years, is usually performed during Holy Week and involves over 80 people from the parish.