Irish monuments on ‘most at risk’ list

AN ancient Irish monastery and a fee-paying Leinster boarding school have been included in a list of the world's 100 most endangered heritage sites.

The World Monuments Fund (WMF) says Athassel Abbey near Golden, Co. Tipperary and Headfort House at Kells, Co. Meath are both in a race against time to save their historic features from decay.

In Athassel's case, the once proud 12th century headquarters of the Augustinian order is suffering accelerating deterioration due to centuries of rains, harsh winters and flooding of the river Suir.