The Importance of Tulsk
Dr. Niall Brady, of the Discovery Programme, who directed the Medieval Rural Settlement Project in Tulsk from 2003, hoped that their archaeological finds “would reinforce the importance of Tulsk as a Key Heritage Attraction.”
Today, we need just a little more work to make that dream a reality.
The Medieval Village of Tulsk has been the key to the West of Ireland for over a thousand years. The Dominicans began to build Tulsk Priory in the early 1400s, and rose to great power through the 1500s. The English Queen Elizabeth recognised the importance of Tulsk, and sent her General Richard Bingham in the 1590s to control the whole of Connacht from a ‘secure’ base in Tulsk. Not so secure, as it turned out, due to local opposition, and on-going sieges; the letters of apology to explain his failures all mention Tulsk. The locals here have always been strong headed, and independent, it would seem.
In 2009, following extensive partnership with the Discovery Programme, and the Gifford Conservation Report on Tulsk Priory commissioned by Roscommon County Council, the Manager of Cruachan Aí (Rathcroghan Visitor Centre), and the board of Tulsk Action Group, began working with Roscommon Leader Partnership to conserve the Priory at Tulsk, which is in direct danger of collapse.
Though it has stood in unchanged condition since beyond local living memory, Tulsk Priory needs our support today. It proves a daily danger to the many locals and visitors who walk in the graveyard, while there are huge concerns with regard to removing the ivy that sheaths the building - as the ivy roots are clearly seen to be, in some places, the only thing that is keeping the crumbling 600 year old stones together.
The scope of works planned to conserve Tulsk Priory has been carefully crafted, in consultation with the expert team of Howley Hayes Architects, based on an extensive grounding of archaeological research, engineering advice, and architectural surveying.
The 2013 - 2014 Conservation Plan includes:
The Graveyard and Tidy Towns committee members take great pride in our village, and work hard to provide visitors to Tulsk with a beautiful and restful memorial to family members and loved ones. Tulsk Action Group want to ensure a monument that will outlast all of us, securing a key heritage attraction that will attract vital cash flow, employment and economic development to the community for generations to come.
Today, we need just a little more work to make that dream a reality.
The Medieval Village of Tulsk has been the key to the West of Ireland for over a thousand years. The Dominicans began to build Tulsk Priory in the early 1400s, and rose to great power through the 1500s. The English Queen Elizabeth recognised the importance of Tulsk, and sent her General Richard Bingham in the 1590s to control the whole of Connacht from a ‘secure’ base in Tulsk. Not so secure, as it turned out, due to local opposition, and on-going sieges; the letters of apology to explain his failures all mention Tulsk. The locals here have always been strong headed, and independent, it would seem.
In 2009, following extensive partnership with the Discovery Programme, and the Gifford Conservation Report on Tulsk Priory commissioned by Roscommon County Council, the Manager of Cruachan Aí (Rathcroghan Visitor Centre), and the board of Tulsk Action Group, began working with Roscommon Leader Partnership to conserve the Priory at Tulsk, which is in direct danger of collapse.
Though it has stood in unchanged condition since beyond local living memory, Tulsk Priory needs our support today. It proves a daily danger to the many locals and visitors who walk in the graveyard, while there are huge concerns with regard to removing the ivy that sheaths the building - as the ivy roots are clearly seen to be, in some places, the only thing that is keeping the crumbling 600 year old stones together.
The scope of works planned to conserve Tulsk Priory has been carefully crafted, in consultation with the expert team of Howley Hayes Architects, based on an extensive grounding of archaeological research, engineering advice, and architectural surveying.
The 2013 - 2014 Conservation Plan includes:
- Ivy and vegetation removal and treatment
- Masonry repairs to stonework using traditional techniques
- Specialist structural repairs and propping
- Use of lime mortars, grout and render
The Graveyard and Tidy Towns committee members take great pride in our village, and work hard to provide visitors to Tulsk with a beautiful and restful memorial to family members and loved ones. Tulsk Action Group want to ensure a monument that will outlast all of us, securing a key heritage attraction that will attract vital cash flow, employment and economic development to the community for generations to come.
Tulsk Priory Conservation Project Specifics
This project consists of stabilisation & conservation of the existing upstanding structures in the site, which consist of the main priory building, tower and mausoleums. These are very important medieval structures that date from the 1400’s. They are crucial to our understanding of medieval life in Connacht.
The Tulsk Priory Conservation Project will provide an integrated approach to the protection of the local heritage. Works proposed are based on recommendations from the ‘Tulsk Gaelic Medieval Complex Conservation Management Plan’, which was commissioned by the Heritage Office of Roscommon County Council to identify the significance of Tulsk Medieval Village and to set out a strategy for conservation and enhancement of medieval Tulsk village. This plan included a suite of related conservation actions and recommendations designed to develop the sustainability of Tulsk village. Conservation of the Priory is ranked as high priority and a series of detailed step by step works required to conserve the structures have been set out as part of this project. The Conservation Management Plan also included an integrated plan for the enhancement and development of the natural areas around the Priory, graveyard and Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. These will be implemented once the conservation works at the Priory are completed. The project will also increase the numbers of visitors to the area, which in turn will help local business and develop the community as a whole.
The Tulsk Priory Conservation Project was begun by Tulsk Action Group in 2009, and 2013 brings a new partnership between Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Leader Partnership, and Tulsk Action Group, through the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, to ensure this essential community heritage and tourism resource is preserved and maintained for future generations.
The Tulsk Priory Conservation Project will provide an integrated approach to the protection of the local heritage. Works proposed are based on recommendations from the ‘Tulsk Gaelic Medieval Complex Conservation Management Plan’, which was commissioned by the Heritage Office of Roscommon County Council to identify the significance of Tulsk Medieval Village and to set out a strategy for conservation and enhancement of medieval Tulsk village. This plan included a suite of related conservation actions and recommendations designed to develop the sustainability of Tulsk village. Conservation of the Priory is ranked as high priority and a series of detailed step by step works required to conserve the structures have been set out as part of this project. The Conservation Management Plan also included an integrated plan for the enhancement and development of the natural areas around the Priory, graveyard and Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. These will be implemented once the conservation works at the Priory are completed. The project will also increase the numbers of visitors to the area, which in turn will help local business and develop the community as a whole.
The Tulsk Priory Conservation Project was begun by Tulsk Action Group in 2009, and 2013 brings a new partnership between Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Leader Partnership, and Tulsk Action Group, through the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, to ensure this essential community heritage and tourism resource is preserved and maintained for future generations.