Athlone Castle public realm works due to start "in coming weeks"
A revamp of public space around the entrance to Athlone Castle is expected to commence "in the next number of weeks," local Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has stated.
Speaking in the shadow of the key tourism amenity last Friday, the local Minister of State announced an allocation of €1.84 million towards the projects which he said would "attract additional tourism footfall and contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of the Tourism and Cultural Quarter of the town".
The project, which secured planning approval in 2023, is due to see the removal of existing ramps, steps and railings to improve accessibility and the usability of the space for visitors to gather and linger and for events and festivals, enhancements, including both soft and hard landscaping, wayfinding signage and interpretation, seating and lighting.
Funding for it is being provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW), Fáilte Ireland, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Westmeath County Council.
The OPW are contributing €650,000 towards the public realm works, while TII are contributing €500,000. Fáilte Ireland has contributed €280,000 towards the design of this project and the wider wayfinding strategy for the town with the remaining matching funding of €410,000 for the project being provided by Westmeath County Council. Minister Moran noted on Friday that it was a "special occasion" to be making the funding announcement at such a historic location on the banks of the River Shannon.
He said the riverfront element of the project, in front of the Castle, was originally envisaged to be delivered as part of the Athlone Flood Relief Scheme.
"Athlone is a vibrant town and it is vital that such a key tourism asset enhances the town. The aim of the project is to improve the visitor experience to Athlone Castle, to ensure accessibility and to increase linger time by visitors.
"Culturally, it is also critical that we maintain and enhance what is on offer on the Connaught side of Athlone," Minister Moran said.
Stating that contractors were due on site to start works in the next number of weeks, Minister Moran paid tribute to Westmeath County Council, which had spent some time "putting the project together", noting that the funding announcement marked a "great day for the west side of Athlone".
Town Mayor, Cllr Frankie Keena, expressed his gratitude to Minister Moran for ensuring that funding for the public realm works came to fruition.
"This is a good news story for Athlone. It is vital as we approach the summer season that Athlone Castle is enhanced, allowing greater accessibility for tourists to visit the amenity."
Cllr Keena added that he was hopeful the work at the Castle would mark "the first step towards the regeneration of the west side of Athlone which is now long overdue."