asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, his Department has for the future development of Adamson's Castle, Athlone, County Westmeath of which the Office of Public Works is in charge.
Written Answers. - Westmeath Castle Development.
336.
The keep of the castle has been used for some time for museum purposes by the Old Athlone Society under a lease from the Commissioners of Public Works and to improve conditions there the premises where recently rewired and suitable lighting and heating provided. Apart from this the commissioners have no plans for Adamson's Castle other than fulfilling the requirements of the National Monuments Acts regarding its maintenance and the admission by the public at all reasonable times.
Some years ago a study group, set up to consider a report on the tourism potential of the castle, recommended inter alia the provision of a major museum at an estimated cost of £65,000 together with renovations of parts of the castle at an estimated cost of £32,000. Athlone Urban District Council, at whose request the study of tourism potential was carried out, were advised that the commissioners are not empowered to incur expenditure on new buildings or improvement works at national monuments or on restoration of national monuments and that if the commissioners were to agree to provide the new museum the cost would have to be met by some other body.