Access And The €10K Per Week Staff Cost: What We Know So Far From Castletown House Meetings

Monday, 12 May 2025 13:38

By Martin Osborne

Among the outcomes, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has committed to replacing cars being walked up the estate by workers with a specialised buggy service operating at 10km/h.

Kfm has learnt details of crucial back-to-back meetings that are taking place today involving local community groups and government officials, focused on resolving long-standing access and preservation issues at the historic Castletown House.

The meetings are being held with OPW Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran in Leixlip.

Following some discussions that have taken place today, a source described them as "positive".

Among the outcomes, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has committed to replacing cars being walked up the estate by workers with a specialised buggy service operating at 10km/h.

It's understood that Minister Kevin Boxer Moran said he could not justify the €10,000 per week cost of staff associated with previous measures.

A phased approach to managing the site was outlined.

It includes a short-term plan to reopen Castletown House with access limited to only five essential vehicles per day.

The medium-term plan is to develop a car park at the Kildare Innovation Campus.

The long-term plan is to restore Castletown House and its grounds to their "former glory", according to the source.

More to follow.

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