Galway City Council will have to spend up to €1.5m on repairing three landmark castles and the Browne Doorway – or risk losing them forever.
Chief Executive Brendan McGrath said the Council must spend €250,000 for emergency work in the short-term as some are in danger of collapsing – one castle has stones currently falling down, while another is a location for antisocial behaviour, which is damaging the fabric of the building.
The four structures – the Browne Doorway in Eyre Square, Menlo Castle, Terryland Castle and Merlin Castle – are the priority projects earmarked for conservation by the city.
A report on their management estimates costs of between €166,000 and €322,000 for the Browne Doorway, up to €601,000 for Menlo Castle, €234,000 for Terryland and around €327,000 for Merlin.
The comments came after councillors were asked to approve a six-year heritage plan for the city until 2021. The previous heritage plan had proposed significant work on the structures but funding was never approved by the Government, only a small amount to draw up a management plan.
Cllr Donal Lyons told this week’s local authority meeting that unless funding was secured nationally and work undertaken in next couple of years, these valuable examples of ancient heritage would be lost for future generations.
Cllr Terry O’Flaherty said she hoped she lived long enough to see the ugly perspex around the Browne Doorway removed.
City Heritage Officer Jim Higgins said that up until 2006, it was envisaged that the Browne Doorway would be moved to the Galway City Museum. It was now in need of urgent conservation which would have to be approved by councillors.
Chief Executive Brendan McGrath agreed that its presentation did not reflect well on the city.
The previous heritage plan set out 38 projects which were either completed or rolled over. This second plan would incorporate those not finished, with a long list of others to be achieved over the next five years to promote heritage awareness and best practice in conservation and management as well as care for the city’s heritage.
In a separate motion, Cllr Terry O’Flaherty called on the Council to install CCTV at Merlin Castle and playground to deter antisocial behaviour.
Funding for the cameras has already been approved but had not been erected, despite the numerous pleas of residents to do so. This was agreed unanimously by members.
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