A New Dawn
In 1966 a new destiny opened up for Holy Cross. A move was initiated locally to restore the Abbey church and bring it back into use for the local community largely due to the foresight and vision of Fr. Willie Hayes (Curate of Holycross/Ballycahill) Through his determination and persuasive power others were duly convinced of the merits of such a considerable task. When Archbishop Morris was approached he became similarily enthusiastic and the project went from strength to strength. The move gathered support and the government was approached to remove the hindrance contained in the Irish Church Act in order to allow the National Monument to be used again as a place of worship.
The following year the government announced its intention of introducing the necessary legislation and on the 21st January 1969, at a commemorative meeting in the Mansion House, Dáil Éireann began the first stage of the Holy Cross Bill, 1969. The Bill entitled “An Act to enable the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland to restore for ecclesiastical purposes Holy Cross Abbey in the County Tipperary” was passed, without opposition, by the Dáil. The Act of 1869 was amended to make this an exception. Archaeological exactions began in the Abbey shortly afterwards and restoration began in 1971. A celebration of the restoration was held in October 1975.
