PJ Murphy (Fine Gael)

I would like to raise the continued closure of one of Ireland's most iconic coastal castles, Dunguaire Castle, on the Wild Atlantic Way in Kinvara. Until 2023, Dunguaire Castle was open to the public throughout the tourism season and was run and managed under the ownership of the Shannon Group. In 2023, a decision was made that the ownership of Dunguaire Castle would be handed over to Galway County Council. From that day until now, that transition of ownership has not been completed and the castle has remained closed to the public. Dunguaire Castle is the most photographed castle in Ireland by international tourists. Several busloads pass by every day travelling between Galway city and the Cliffs of Moher. This is one certain stop they make to get their selfies and other photos at Dunguaire Castle, yet busloads of tourists are disappointment because the castle remains closed. Galway County Council had undertaken an extensive and comprehensive due diligence process in quarter 4 of 2024 to progress the project but it needs government funding and a commitment from Government to get the castle in line with current regulations so that it can take the castle over and get it opened. The Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, in his latest communication to local Councillor Paul Killilea and Kinvara Community Council stated that Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland along with other bodies under their remit had been assign moneys accordingly. Those moneys have not yet been assigned. During the May plenary session of Galway County Council following questions again by Councillor Paul Killilea, it was stated by the CEO of Galway County Council: "We need a government commitment to fund the project to take the castle back into use and we as a council have committed under our capital programme to keep our end of the bargain but without a government commitment, our budget cannot absorb the costs to get it back into use and meet regulations."

This will be the third tourism season that the castle remains closed. I call on the Government to make allocations as soon as possible to Galway County Council for the money required to meet the building and tourism regulations so that Dunguaire Castle can open to the public before this tourism season is out.