Revamp of Athlone Castle facilities could start in January

Work on the revamp of Athlone Castle's interpretation facilities could begin in January of next year and be complete by next summer, subject to planning approval, it has emerged.

Westmeath County Council has been granted funding through the EU Just Transition Fund to progress the upgrade, known as the Athlone Castle Interpretation, Facilities & Visitor Journey Enhancement Project.

In recent weeks, the project took two major steps forward, with planning permission being sought and tenders for the work being sought.

Two separate contracts are to be awarded as part of the project - one for base build construction and conservation works and one for the exhibition and joinery works. Westmeath County Council recently advertised for tenders for both projects.

And the council has also began the process of seeking planning approval through the Part 8 process (by which local authorities, and other state bodies, consult with the public on projects).

Details of the plans will be uploaded to Westmeath County Council's consultation portal at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en and submissions will be open from July 28 to 4pm on Monday, September 9.

The project was previously awarded €3.2 million through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition fund.

It is hoped contracts will be awarded in November this year, with work due to commence in January 2026 and the hand-over of projects to take place by summer 2026.

According to the tender documents, the enhancement project "aims to deliver a clearly organised and highly engaging visitor experience, enhancing Athlone Castle's position as a flagship cultural attraction within the Hidden Heartlands region and a vital component of the Athlone destination experience.

It aims to reflect and enhance the history of the castle and the town with a reconfigured visitor journey through authentic historic spaces, engaging with unique artefacts, compelling media and interactive opportunities for all ages and abilities.

"The project proposes improvements to the visitor journey and experience at Athlone Castle. The core project is to provide interpretation, facilities, and visitor journey enhancements, which will revitalise Athlone Castle to deliver an engaging, enjoyable, accessible, and memorable experience to our visitors," the documents state.

Among the elements outlined in the base-build construction and conservation works are localised works to the existing fabric to reveal original materiality, windows etc; fabric conservation works where required; adaptations to existing fabric to facilitate ticketing (pending statutory consents); a new staircase and relocation of existing staircase; and widening openings.

This section of the revamp will also entail a new coffee kiosk/pantry kitchen, and new retail and staff accommodation; new flooring and joinery/painting works; and comprehensive upgrades to heating, electrics, lighting and audio visual display.

This contract will involve the provision of a 'shell' ready to receive the exhibition and interpretation fit-out by others, and the provision of a 'shell' ready to receive the fitted furniture installed by others.

The base build and conservation works contract is intended to move ahead prior to the exhibition and fit-out/joinery contractors work.

The exhibition and joinery/fit-out works will be predominantly interior spaces of the Keep, Barracks and Armoury spaces, with some external wayfinding and interpretation elements, according to the tender documents.

While final proposals are in development, these works will include 3D design works, including showcases and housing for digital media and other installations or props; 2D design works including graphic printworks, substrate and mounting; exhibition lighting, and AV, monitors and projections hardware and installation.

It will also involve external interpretation, signage and wayfinding labeling and installations; mounts and display casing for objects, props, dressing as required.

The joinery/furniture will include fitted furniture for new reception/ticketing, storage, archive, lockers, staff accommodation, coffee kiosk and retail space.

The project will involve seven internal spaces for exhibition fit out totaling 426m2; three internal spaces for transition/exhibition totaling 150-165m2; external areas for interpretative material; one externalised room (armoury) 31m2 and five principal external spaces covering 295m2.

Both contracts are expected to be for seven months duration. Separately, a major programme of public realm works around Athlone Castle began earlier this month.

This €1.8m project will include a planned overhaul of the public space around the castle entrance, and at the front of the castle alongside the River Shannon, with construction work not due to finish until February 2026.