Vol. 504 No. 1
79 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the total moneys spent on renovation of Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; the extent of the works carried out; the nature of the remaining works; the costs in this regard; when these funds will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11251/99]
The position regarding the restoration works to Castletown House remains as stated in my reply to a similar Question from the Deputy on 9 March last – Question No 335 of that date.
As the Deputy is aware, the works to prepare Castletown for reopening to the public have now been completed. Last Friday, a ceremony held in the house to celebrate its reopening incorporated a musical performance by Ms Regina Nathan, which formed part of the ongoing nationwide millennium project which I have initiated entitled Ceol Reoite/Frozen Music, a title prompted by Goethe's dictum that architecture is frozen music.
The house is open for visitors, Sundays only for April and May, and daily thereafter up to 30 October 1999.
81 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the condition of Rathcoffey Castle, County Kildare; if the building is in need of improvement or restoration works; if this prospect is feasible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11253/99]
While this property is not in State ownership, the gatehouse was placed in State guardianship by the trustees of Clongowes Wood College in 1941. Guardianship makes my Department responsible for routine maintenance but it does not affect the owners' rights or obligations. Neither does the guardianship deed provide for public access to the monument.
Rathcoffey Demesne, which contains the remains of an eighteenth century house but also includes medieval features was entered on the register of historic monuments in 1990. Registration requires the owners or their agents to give my Department two months prior written notice of any works they may wish to carry out.
Other than carrying out regular inspections and routine maintenance, Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, have no proposals at present to undertake any improvement or restoration works at this site.
82 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the condition of Donadea Castle, Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare; the prospects for its restoration; the cost in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11254/99]
Donadea Castle, County Kildare is not in State care and Dúchas the heritage service of my Department has not undertaken a condition survey and is not in a position to undertake any works there.
This site is protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930-1994 as a "Recorded Monument". This requires the owner or occupier to give two months notice to my Department of any proposals to carry out works at the site.
