John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Athenry Castle dates from the early 13th century. It was constructed originally by the de Bermingham family and survived until the 1640s when it was effectively destroyed by Cromwellian forces. The castle is a national monument and one of 70 heritage sites where the OPW provides guide services to visitors. Last year an impressive total of 9,455 people visited the castle. The OPW is keen to see the figure increase and attract more footfall. The Senator should know that we are anxious to encourage more visitors and events at the castle, particularly during the year of The Gathering.

Last year the Minister launched the community involvement initiative which hopes to involve local communities and groups in heritage sites under the care of the OPW. Difficulties will arise with individual suggestions from time to time. The OPW is committed to directly engaging with local communities on the use of all of these sites but that can only happen when a proposal is suitable, safe and sustainable. The event proposed by the Senator involves serving food and drink, presumably including alcohol, to up to 80 guests in suitable large areas in the castle. The national monuments service of the OPW has informed the Minister that the castle is unsuitable for the proposed event.

The keep at Athenry is the principal area available. Access can only be gained via a narrow external staircase on the outside wall of the building. Were the event to be held at the location, guests and food service staff would potentially have to negotiate the same route at the same time. This would be fraught with some difficulty and inconvenience and is totally impractical. The toilets would be located just off the reception area on the ground floor. They would be difficult to access easily and confusion and congestion on the stairs would inevitably result.

The other area that might be considered suitable is the undercroft or basement area. It poses difficulties in terms of its confined nature and lack of circulation space once furniture is installed. The area also lacks heating and lighting and mitigates against the undercroft being used for an event such as the one suggested. The OPW has suggested that installing temporary heating, power and lighting would ruin the ambience that the promoters seek to create, would create a hazard and would not lead to a successful event.

Most crucially, from the point of view of safety, the undercroft area at Athenry does not have an adequate fire escape for the event. The space is unfurnished and essentially empty. It does not present a similar difficulty for groups of tourists that are led by an OPW guide during the daytime. It would be an entirely different prospect were there need for an emergency evacuation of a large group of people unfamiliar with the building and having to navigate to a remote exit around furniture, temporary power cables, heating units and other obstacles.

I can see the attraction in having the event at Athenry. I can assure the Senator that the OPW is aware of what the sponsors want to do. With that in mind, the OPW has adopted a creative approach and may have come up with a satisfactory solution. Instead of using the castle as the focal point for the event, for which the OPW believes the castle is completely unsuitable, the building should be used as a backdrop. The event could be staged in the grounds of the castle. Perhaps a marquee could be erected for the evening. Catering and services could be provided, and the whole physical logistics could be managed professionally and safely, by any number of event planners. The castle would be a stunning backdrop for the evening. It could, for example, support the event by providing toilet facilities and guided tours. The OPW could, in this scenario, keep the castle open late on the day and provide guided tours for guests either before or after the dinner event. This may not be what the organisers had in mind. However, when they analyse the pros and cons of both proposals, they will conclude that an event in the castle would be fraught with difficulties for the reasons that I have suggested. There is a level of expense associated with hiring a marquee, etc. Inevitably, there would be similar costs involved in setting up temporary light and power and providing furniture, etc., for diners in spaces within the castle walls.

In order for the proposal to be brought to fruition the organisers need to have a deeper engagement with my officials on matters such as risk management, stewarding, insurance requirements, etc. Opening the site later would mean the OPW would have to pay for extra staff, overtime, etc., and such matters must be addressed. These are details that can be worked out with co-operation. I invite the Senator to engage with the organisers and to give the OPW a revised proposal, perhaps along these lines. I can assure her that Department officials will be happy to work with them to ensure a successful and enjoyable event that will showcase Athenry Castle and the town in a very positive and exciting way.