Brendan Griffin
Question:347. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date and when works on a castle (details supplied) will be competed. [18543/16]
View answerTuesday, 28 June 2016
Questions (347)
Written answers
Conservation works are ongoing at Askeaton Castle and involve the stabilisation and repair of the Castle and the Hellfire Club, an early 17th century building. This is a long-term, complex project and certain works require input from marine engineers as part of the structure is in the river. To date, the curtain wall of the castle has been conserved and repaired. The first phase of works to the Constable Tower, which necessitated a major structural intervention, has been completed, holding works have been undertaken in the Hellfire Club and remedial works to the property which abuts the road and which was recently acquired by the State have been effected. Given the complexity of the works and the delicate nature of the conservation tasks involved, it is not possible to estimate the completion date.
Conscious of the long term nature of the works the Office of Public Works has worked closely with the Askeaton Civic Trust Ltd. in order to facilitate access to the site while works are ongoing. A member of the Trust has been given permission to bring tour groups to Askeaton Castle on weekends during the summer months and the building holidays at the end July/start August. This access appears to satisfy the vast majority of those who wish to visit the site.