asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of all work carried out on the O'Donnell Castle, County Donegal, to date; the position regarding re-roofing of the castle; if materials have been bought for this work; when work will start on the project; and when he expects the entire restoration to be completed.
Written Answers. - O'Donnell Castle (Donegal).
97.
The Commissioners of Public Works have been guardians of Donegal Castle since 1898. Between 1930 and 1932 major structural works were carried out to support the foundations of the part of the tower house founded on soft mud-slate. In recent years further major works have been undertaken. The walls of the gatehouse have been repaired and it has been re-roofed and re-floored. The front of the manor house was taken down and rebuilt for safety reasons. New stone barges were cut and fitted on all the gables of the manor house and stone lintels were cut and fitted to all the windows. Iron railings were erected at the front of the castle. All of the castle buildings have now been pointed and flaunched. Landscaping works and external and internal stone paving have also been carried out. Over the years routine maintenance and conservation works have been carried out e.g., the removal of trees and ivy from the walls, flaunching of wall tops, repairing and replacing stonework, repointing and fitting of railings and grids.
Supplies of oak timber were purchased in 1984 and 1985 in order to roof and floor the gatehouse of the Castle and to provide an appropriate protective canopy over the ornate fireplace in the castle. More than half of the timber purchased was used to roof, floor and secure the gatehouse. The remainder is in store in the Commissioners' depot in Dromahair and is intended to be used to provide stairs and reception furniture for the gatehouse and for the above mentioned canopy when appropriate staffing resources permit. Having regard to present commitments, it is not expected that this will be before 1990. The entire restoration of the castle is not contemplated.