Phase 3 of Conservation Repair Works to the ruin of St Mary's Priory Church/ "The Abbey", Rathmullan, a Recorded Archaeological Monument

Tender description

This project involves the conservation of the tower and various adjacent walls using lime mortar, to the Abbey as detailed in the tender documents. The existing buildings on the site are the ruins of a 16th century monastery church part converted to a fortified house in the 17th century, cloister & friar’s quarters, church tower and later graveyard. The graveyard site is congested, land extends throughout the monument site. The site has been used regularly in the past for human burial and graves are still maintained on a reasonably regular basis. The buildings are a Recorded Archaeological Monument in ownership of the Local Authority and all works are required to have Ministerial Consent from the National Monuments Service. The works described here must not be exceeded without further consultation. In addition to providing access to carry out the works that this contract comprises, the contractor is to allow for providing access for the design team to examine and record the monument to comply with requirements of the National Monuments Service and to allow the future phases of work to be specified and tendered in due course. The site is a graveyard and an archaeological site on no account should the surface of the ground be broken or plants be uprooted unless with explicit permission of the National Monuments Service and under the supervision of a licensed archaeologist. Refer to Preliminary Safety Plan – the site is located in a publicly accessible graveyard, access to which has been closed for the duration of the repair work. For the planning of the work will require close communication and cooperation with Donegal County Council, roads section, who are responsible for the upkeep and care of the site.