Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
18. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the reinstatement of the Turoe Stone in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory role of the OPW in relation to the conservation and protection of National Monuments in State care is defined under relevant National Monuments Acts 1930 – 2004. While the primary focus is clearly on the conservation of National Monuments, the Office of Public Works holds as a central part of its mission in respect of National Monuments in their care that they should, wherever possible, be located within their proper historical context and should be freely available to view by visitors.
The Turoe Stone had been located on a site adjacent to the Turoe Pet Farm enterprise and, though the artefact was not itself owned by the proprietors, it was placed on their lands and they exercised, in cooperation with the Office of Public Works, a significant positive role in its care and custodianship. It was located unprotected on a tiny piece of ground not much bigger than the stone itself.
The Turoe Stone is carved from granite and covered with intricate La Tène designs produced in low relief to a depth of about one inch. The abstract artwork consists of a continuous series of curved lines, including circles, concentric spirals and other curvilinear motifs such as trumpet-ends and triskeles. A number of key-designs are also visible. The stone stands at 1.2m in height from finished ground level with its lower section embedded in the ground.
Following discussions with the National Museum and the Department of Culture, Heritage and The Gaeltacht, the stone was removed and placed in storage by the Office of Public Works for its protection. At the time, a commitment was given to the owners of Turoe Pet Farm that the stone would be returned to the site, following conservation treatment and a new enclosure constructed for the stone. An architectural feasibility study was commissioned by the National Monuments Service in July 2019, set out to explore options for the new enclosure for the stone.
The report suggested an environmentally controlled enclosure be created for the stone and it be put on display in the carpark where it would be protected. The opportunity is being taken to create a more visitor and tourism-friendly attraction which is more accessible to people coming to the artefact either directly or as part of a wider visit experience including the Farm and which creates an enhanced setting for this unique object within the local landscape close to where it originated.
Planning permission was granted on 8 August 2022 for the erection of the new structure to protect the Turoe Stone as it returns. The development of a detailed programme of works and cost plan is underway. The Office of Public Works is awaiting an archaeological excavations report, this is expected in the coming weeks, and will further inform the programme and costings to progress this project.
The location for the proposed project falls within Fáilte Ireland’s: Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the OPW intention is that it would resonate strongly with that identity and represent a vibrant local attraction at the Loughrea site, encouraging discovery by visiting tourists and citizens and contributing to the local tourism economy, most directly represented by the adjacent Pet Farm, which is a thriving local attraction which brings many visitors to the area.
Given the OPWs long involvement in caring for the monument, we are committed that the stone will be returned to the site once the new enclosure is constructed.
