Councillors “disheartened” by Athlone Castle lighting delay

Athlone Castle could have new external lighting in place by the third quarter of the new year, council members heard at a recent meeting.

However, councillors expressed concern over delays and called for a clearer timeline for the project.

The external lighting forms a separate project from both public realm works underway at the castle and ongoing internal works and will require a new funding stream.

The castle itself is scheduled to reopen in Autumn 2026, following the conclusion of the current internal works.

Separately, a revamp of public space around the entrance to Athlone Castle is underway.

That project involves the removal of existing ramps, steps and railings and the enhancement of the space around the castle for greater public use.

Plans for the external lighting of the castle are due to be presented to councillors in the new year.

District Manager Jackie Finney stressed the importance of a careful, heritage-sensitive approach.

"We are taking the time and we’re going to do it right, and we’re going to do it sympathetically as required,” she said.

“The castle will be a much better experience and contribute much more to the town in terms of tourists, and be a standout feature in the town,” she said.

Despite these assurances, councillors voiced frustration over the delays. Cllr Aengus O’Rourke said he was “surprised and disheartened” by the project timeline.

“We are further behind in terms of the preparation for the lighting of the curtain wall on all sides, and the fact that it forms a second project which needs to be designed, costed, and funded puts us way back on our timeline,” he said.

Cllr Paul Hogan added: “We’re still here a year later talking about the design of the lighting scheme, and we’re a couple of steps back in terms of the curtain wall.

“These key projects have been on the agenda for a year. We need to start seeing actual, indicated steps of progression. It’s very frustrating.”

While the installation of external lighting has been delayed, the council executive confirmed that progress has been made on ducting and cabling works, ensuring a fully integrated system for both the castle and the town bridge.

The approach is intended to create a cohesive and visually striking display linking the castle with surrounding public spaces.

“We are ensuring that all infrastructure is in place so that when the external lighting is installed, it can be done in a coordinated manner with the bridge and surrounding areas,” said Jackie Finney.

“This is not just about illuminating the castle, it’s about enhancing the entire public space in a sympathetic and sustainable way.”

The ducting work will also provide a flexible, future-proof system, allowing for potential upgrades and adjustments without major additional construction.

Council members emphasised the need for clear timelines and regular updates as the project progresses.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme