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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

John McGuinness

Question:

500 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will include Magdelan Castle and the turret at Maudlin Street, Kilkenny, on the tour guide of Kilkenny; if she will consider Magdelan Castle as a millennium project and re-roof and reconstruct the interior floors for the benefit of Kilkenny and tourism generally and establish a local community use for the site. [21607/99]

Magdalen Castle is a tower house in state ownership. It is in good condition following conservation works some years ago by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. I have no plans to carry out further works at this time. Dúchas does not publish the tour guide referred to by the Deputy and will actively promote only those sites in State ownership which have visitor facilities through its Heritage Sites booklet. The 1999 booklet lists some 80 such sites throughout the country, including three in County Kilkenny – Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint and Dunmore Cave.

John McGuinness

Question:

501 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will carry out a report on Clara Castle, Kilkenny, to determine how safe the structure is and the work required to make the site accessible to visitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21608/99]

John McGuinness

Question:

502 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will commission a report on Clara Castle, Kilkenny, to determine how safe the structure is; the work required to make the site accessible to visitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21649/99]

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 501 agus 502 le chéile.

Clara Castle is a national monument in State care and is in good condition. For this reason, I see no need to commission a report on the structure of the castle. The site is accessible to visitors by means of a key which is available from a caretaker who lives nearby. There is a sign to this effect at the castle.

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