Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 1

Written Answers. - Interpretative Centres.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

61 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of interpretative centres, if any, planned; the number currently in existence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10825/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, intends to provide new visitor reception facilities at the following sites: Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; Ferns Castle, Ferns, County Wexford; Dungarvan Castle, Dungarvan, County Waterford; Lough Hyne, County Cork; St. Mary's Church, Gowran, County Kilkenny; Trim Castle, Trim, County Meath; The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9; The Warhouse, Ballingarry, County Tipperary; Sligo Abbey, Sligo; The Mainguard, Clonmel, County Tipperary; Listowel Castle, Listowel, County Kerry; Clara Bog, County Offaly and Mayo National Park, Ballycroy, County Mayo. In addition, it is intended to provide enhanced visitor facilities at Dunmore Caves, Ballyfoyle, County Kilkenny.

In regard to the number of interpretative centres currently in existence, I refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to his question No. 76 on 1 February 2000 in which I gave details of the sites at which interpretative displays and visitor facilities are provided for the public and their location.