Revisions sought to DFOT plans at Kilnacrott Abbey

Minor changes have been sought to previously granted plans for a new education and retreat centre at the former Kilnacrott Abbey near Ballyjamesduff.

Revisions to the administration building include a 142 sq m increase to the overall floor area to 1,400 sq m and increased roof heights, along with revised roof overhangs and all associated internal and elevational changes.

Furthermore, planning is sought for an ESB substation/switch room building (32 sq m) and all associated external works by Direction For Our Times Ireland CLG who have plans to invest close to €8M in building a new faith centre after they first demolish the Holy Trinity Abbey, which once sheltered one of the most prolific child abusers the church has ever seen, Fr Brendan Smyth.

The faith centre development secured planning last April.

Direction For Our Times Ireland CLG is a religious organisation led by a lay apostolate ‘Anne’, real name Kathryn Ann Clarke, an American author best known for her young adult fiction.

In August 2012, after years of fundraising, Direction For Our Times Ireland (DFOT) completed the purchase of Holy Trinity Abbey and some of the lands for a sum exceeding €600,000.

They first announced plans to build a new €4M ‘Faith Formation Centre’ back in 2019.

The graveyard - where Smyth is buried under several tonnes of concrete - is to remain.