The 13th-century abbey near Youghal, Co Cork, which is reputed to be the burial place of Raymond le Gros, Strongbow's companion-in-arms, has been closed to the public until the building can be made safe.
High winds this month caused the collapse of the gable end of the church of St Molana. The site is reached via a causeway to what was originally an island in the middle of the Blackwater.
In ruins since the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII, the abbey grew from a much earlier foundation, sometimes called Dairinis. From Lismore the monks of Mo-Chuda brought the rule identified with Saint Mael-Anfaidh, Molan-Fidhe or Molana.
In the eighth century Molana Abbey was in the thick of a movement for monastic reform, and by the 12th century adopted Augustinian rule. It was remote, but the Blackwater was the great highway of Munster for centuries; monks and armies navigated in both directions, and monasteries were built along its shores.
After its laicisation in the 16th century, Molana Abbey was granted to the keepers of Ballynatray House by Sir Walter Raleigh. The earliest house was built on the wooded shore of the river by Richard Smyth.
The builder of the current Ballynatray House (1795) was Grice Smyth, who also built the causeway to the abbey, a stone memorial to St Molana and a commemorative tablet to Raymond le Gros.
The present property was owned until last year by the Ponsonby family, who inherited it from Roland Smyth, a noted sportsman who rode his own horse in the Grand National.
The house and 500 acres of deerpark and farm were sold for over £1 million to the Boissevain family of France. A restoration programme estimated to cost £3 million is under way at the house, stable-yard and grounds.
Waterford County Council has confirmed that the new owners of the house and abbey are committed to keeping the abbey available to public access.
Consulting engineer Mr David Kelly of Youghal says preliminary discussions have begun with the OPW about a programme of conservation for the abbey.