Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that works are continuing on the external walls of Barryscourt Castle. The conservation nature of this project requires the use of heritage products and traditional lime mortar, which requires painstaking attention to detail and expert craftsmanship. The OPW is on target to complete its programme for 2021, which will leave 50% of the south wall and 50% of the east wall completed. It is expected that the regrouting of the south wall and east wall will be completed in 2022. Progress has also been made on the specification for the mechanical and electrical works which will follow the grouting programme.

Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 have seriously impacted progress on the project and, unfortunately, continue to do so. Notwithstanding that, the Office of Public Works hopes to have the works completed and the castle reopened in 2023. As the Deputy knows, I visited the castle when I had the opportunity to do so with the local councillor, Mr. Anthony Barry, and I pay tribute to the outdoor workers and the craftspeople of the OPW who are based in east Cork. This is a very difficult and constrained project for us, but the OPW is committed to it.

I met the local community as well as Deputy Stanton and other public representatives and I visited a number of the OPW facilities in the Fota, Cobh and Great Island areas. I know the contribution Barryscourt Castle has the potential to make to that particular part of east Cork. I understand the frustrations, but this is the nature of conservation work and the nature of the work at hand. The progress is incredibly slow. I can provide additional supplementary material to the Deputy and we can meet him on-site as well. We are prepared to engage with the Deputy to see if there is additional material that can be beneficial to him on this matter.

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