Paul Connaughton
Ceist:264 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when it is proposed to install the oak/steel stairs and lay down all timber floors in Portumna Castle. [9057/01]
Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:265 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the work programme and estimate of expenditure for Portumna Castle for the year ending 31 December 2001. [9058/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
One of my Department's major objectives for Portumna Castle is to facilitate maximum visitor access to the castle and, to this end, an oak/steel stairway is currently under construction in the castle. This stairway will be in place for the 2001 season.
The question of fully restoring Portumna Castle was considered by the consultants engaged by my Department to prepare a draft management plan for the Portumna estate. The consultants recommended conservation of the castle itself rather than its full restoration. The reasons for this were to avoid conjecture in any such restoration; the need to study, preserve and present the fabric that does survive; and the possibility offered by the building in its current state of creating a unique experience not to be found elsewhere in Ireland. This recommendation has been accepted by my Department and consequently the installation of timber floors throughout the castle does not arise. I have made £30,000 available this year to complete the installation of the stairway and to provide an enhanced exhibition for visitors.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:266 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of visitors and revenue accrued for each of the years from 1997 to 2000 for Portumna Castle, Clonmacnoise, Kilkenny Castle and the Rock of Cashel. [9059/01]
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement.
|
Site |
Year |
Number of Visitors |
Revenue£ |
|
Portumna Castle |
1997 |
10,421 |
7,245 |
|
1998 |
9,073 |
9,396 |
|
|
1999 |
11,235 |
11,549 |
|
|
2000 |
10,925 |
11,196 |
|
|
Clonmacnoise |
1997 |
142,765 |
238,129 |
|
1998 |
140,604 |
285,209 |
|
|
1999 |
144,595 |
288,581 |
|
|
2000 |
131,083 |
295,805 |
|
|
Kilkenny Castle |
1997 |
161,372 |
342,742 |
|
1998 |
168,335 |
362,330 |
|
|
1999 |
173,423 |
363,111 |
|
|
2000 |
200,787 |
426,567 |
|
|
Rock of Cashel |
1997 |
218,080 |
407,500 |
|
1998 |
229,012 |
506,429 |
|
|
1999 |
245,453 |
543,599 |
|
|
2000 |
231,296 |
586,644 |