 In 1994 the Church of Ireland handed over St Columba's Church located on the grounds of Durrow Abbey to the State after a dispute about ownership.In 1998 owner Sheila O'Brien began negotiations with Julie Lowe of the Durrow Abbey Trust to sell the estate for £2million.Lowe is a descendant of The O'Donnells of Donegal, who are part of the family of St Columba (St Columba founded Durrow in 553 o 556AD).