asked the Minister for Finance if there are any proposals before his Department for the renovation of King John's Castle, Trim, County Meath.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Castle.
20.
Trim Castle is in private ownership. The Commissioners of Public Works assumed guardianship of the castle as a national monument in 1966 but this action did not affect its ownership.
Tentative proposals for the restoration of the castle have recently been made to the commissioners.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be able to say if any money will be available in this financial year for expenditure on Trim Castle?
No. There is a question of restoration and conservation involved. The work will be very costly and will take ten years to complete. This is the largest and best preserved Norman castle dating back to about 1200 AD. Before we start on conservation we want to do an archaeological dig to find out what remains there may be in the grounds surrounding the castle. There are proposals for the setting up of a limited company whereby full restoration might be possible with the aid of local co-operation and assistance. We are very hopeful of doing a partial restoration initially which will provide for the Bunratty type banquets and so on in order to raise funds for the restoration of the castle. I would prefer if the Deputy would not press me too hard on this matter now. I intend to meet some local people on the matter in the near future.
I appreciate that the Parliamentary Secretary is displaying an interest in Trim Castle which was not displayed by some of his predecessors. When the archaeological dig takes place, will he ensure that damage is not done to the old castle? There was the collapse of a neighbouring building some years ago when three lives were lost.
We are in touch with Lord Dunsany, the owner, who is quite interested in this matter.