durrow abbey co. offaly conservation plan - Offaly County Council

SITE CHRONOLOGY
585 – 597AD
Seventh century
Ninth century
Twelfth century
c.1186
c. 1213/1214
1570
1540s
1553
c.1561
1574
1712
1733
1802
1815
1829
1831
1832
1837
1839, January
1843, January
1854
18??
1888
1899
1899-1922
1913
1914
1923, May
Foundation of monastery at Durrow by St. Columcille
Book of Durrow written
High Cross of Durrow created
Foundation of Augustinian priory of St. Mary
Construction of motte at Durrow by Hugh de Lacy
Re-construction of castle at Durrow by the English
Monastery of Durrow dissolved by Henry VIII.
The lands of Durrow regranted to the prior of the now dissolved monastery,
Contan O’Molloy, on a 21 year lease.
Contan O’Molloy was killed. (Obits of Kilcormac)
The lands of Durrow were leased to Nicholas Herber t
Nicholas Herber t received full grant of the proper ty, succeeded by Richard and
in turn by George, the Third Baronet.
George Herber t, Third Baronet died. His sister Frances Herber t, married to
MajorPatrick Fox, succeeded to estate.
According to the account of the diocese made by Bishop Mant, the church was out
of repair ‘but ye said Mrs Fox pulled it down and rebuilt it at her own expense.’
The estate of Durrow Abbey passed to Herber t Rawson Stepney. The church a
venerable structure, was repaired in 1802, by a gift of £450, and a loan of £50,
from the Board of First Fruits; and contains monuments to the Stepney and Armstrong
families. (Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary, 1837)
Proper ty sold to John Toler, First Lord Norbury.
Drawings prepared by architect, William Murray for embellishing and extending
Durrow House.
Hector John Toler succeeded as Earl of Norbury.
Barony of Norbury passed to Hector John Norbury.
Plans for a larger country house in a Gothic Revival style prepared.
A new mansion house being built at Durrow Abbey house similar in style to
Pain’s Castle Bernard (Kinnitty Castle) built a few years earlier but not as grand.
(Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary, 1837) Following completion of the new building
in 1837 the house (Durrow Park) was renamed Durrow Abbey.
Hector John Toler assassinated. Work to house probably stopped. Eulogy given
by Lord Oxmantown of Birr stated that ‘He was in he act of building a splendid
residence, to be permanent residence of his family, and consequently the center
of a great expenditure...’
Durrow House burnt and demolished
The Countess of Norbury owned the abbey by 1854. At the time there were
two gatehouses occupied by Mary Reilly and William Lyons. Total acerage of
the demesne was 605 acres 1rd. 16per. Remains of a row of houses in the high
wood.
Estate passed to Hector Rober t Toler.
Durrow abbey church abandoned and new church built on another site.
Hector Rober t Toler died. Otway Scarlett Toler succeeded to Estate.
House completed with a four storey gabled break front, with entrance hall at
ground level. Doric por te cochere built at front.
Cemetery closed by order of the local government board.
Reference to new avenue and new terraces being built by Toler at Durrow.
Durrow Abbey house burned down.
18