No timeframe for long-awaited Athlone Castle and town bridge lighting scheme
The lack of progress in drawing up costings and timelines for implementing a proper design lighting scheme for Athlone Castle and the town bridge was greeted with frustration by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke at the recent sitting of the Municipal District.
Raising the issue, Cllr O'Rourke said he had been waiting for progress on the lighting schemes at these "significant landmarks" in the heart of Athlone for some time now.
"This issue is a source of ongoing frustration for me. I have raised the matter within this chamber on numerous occasions, yet there seems to be no progress with regard to costings and timelines," Cllr O'Rourke said.
"The Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, Kylemore Abbey are all significant landmarks in our country and what do they all have in common? They are all illuminated when the need arises and such lighting adds to the tourism appeal," Cllr O'Rourke added.
The Fianna Fáil councillor noted that installing the necessary lighting schemes should not be "a complex procedure".
"It is quite alarming that this issue has been personally raised in this chamber in 2018, 2020 and 2023, yet there has been little progress made in this regard. It is a shame that at certain times of the year we are not in a position to showcase such landmarks in our town," Cllr O'Rourke said.
"I have a feeling that the lack of progress is due to cost issues, but we have to find the money necessary to fund both lighting projects."
Adding his support to Cllr O'Rourke's motion, Cllr John Dolan noted that any national news being broadcast from the town would usually come from the Athlone Castle location and it was a "shame" to see a "black ediface" in the background when it should be a prominent feature.
"Athlone Castle is one of the prime tourist attractions in our region, so it is vital this this project is completed," Cllr Dolan added.
Cllr Paul Hogan noted that the motion had now been discussed within the chamber for seven years yet the process appeared to be going in reverse.
"In my view, this motion should remain on our agenda on a monthly basis with regular updates to be received by the councillors. I would like to hear a costing for both projects at next month's Municipal District meeting, and a plan prepared for implementation."
Citing the "significant costs" of illuminating both landmarks, Director of Services Jackie Finney stated that a lighting design scheme was included as part of the Athlone Castle public realm project.
“The Athlone Castle public realm project is progressing, and provision for the lighting design scheme is included in this project and will be progressed in tandem.
“An update on the timeframes for delivery of this project will be given at a future meeting,” said Ms Finney.
"The design lighting scheme for the town bridge is also a key project for the District. This is a substantial and complex project due to the historic nature of the landmark. Work is ongoing regarding the technical specification and the design of an appropriate scheme that is sensitive to the town bridge," the Director of Services added.