Dominicans could be set to stay in Ballybeg for a while longer

The Dominican Friars could be set to continue to serve the people of Ballybeg in Waterford City for sometime to come after Dominican Friars in Drogheda vowed to resist plans to move away from the parish after putting their hope in a technical loophole which would reverse plans to see Friars leave the Parish.

Last September it was announced that the Dominicans were to close centres in Dublin, Drogheda, Athy, Limerick and Ballybeg due to a decline in numbers in the Order and an ageing membership. The Dominicans however at the time said they would be retaining a presence at Bridge Street in Waterford City.

Last September a statement from the Dominican Order said that the decision by the Dominicans to close smaller centres will see them instead focus on having communities with at least six friars.

At the time a passionate protest campaign was launched in Drogheda by the Friars as well as the local community as the order had a presence in the town for almost 800 years.

It has however now been learned that the decision to close the five centres as no formal effect as the decision to close the five centres was made by decision of a Provincial county and that under the orders internal rules, a full Chapter meeting of the entire province was necessary to make a decision to close any community. There is no meeting planned of the Full Chapter until the summer of 2016.

The Dominicans have been in Ireland since 1224. They also have houses in Dublin, Cork, Tallaght, Newry, Dundalk, Newbridge, Waterford, Kilkenny, Tralee, Galway and Sligo.

The Dominican community at Ballybeg was established in 1976 although the parish of St Saviour was established and entrusted to the Waterford Dominicans the previous year.