Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the Office of Public Works plans to support the cultural and historical events in Kells, County Meath to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Colmcille; if they will ensure that St. Colmcille’s House in the town is open and accessible and is resourced with a paid tour guide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27480/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Saint Colmcille's House in Kells, a National Monument in State care, is maintained by the Office of Public Works.

OPW is happy to work with the local community to promote cultural and historical events associated with the anniversary of Saint Colmcille through its various social media platforms and inclusion of interpretation material on the Heritage Ireland website. It would also be quite happy to publish an article in the Heritage Ireland e-zine. The organisers are requested to contact OPW directly in this regard.

The Deputy will be aware of the Tara Lecture Series which takes place annually in the Visitor Centre at the Hill of Tara. Regretfully, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the series has been suspended for 2021. However, OPW would further hope to support the anniversary events by including a lecture in the 2022 series on St Colmcille who had a number of connections to the Meath area.

OPW has a keyholding arrangement in place for St Colmcille's House. COVID-19 guidelines permitting, it is envisaged that this service will be available to facilitate access to the site at certain times, if this is required. There are no plans, however, to put a full Guide service at the site.