Detail on Athlone Castle works “too loose and easy"

By Rebekah O'Reilly and Adrian Cusack

A local councillor has criticised the level of information provided on the upcoming €1.8 million Athlone Castle public realm project, describing it as far too "loose" and vague.

This month's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District heard that the planned overhaul of the public space around the castle entrance, and at the front of the castle alongside the River Shannon, is expected to start towards the end of this month.

With a 6-9 month timeframe given for the project, the work is likely to be ongoing for the remainder of 2025, once it gets underway.

Athlone Fianna Fáil councillor Aengus O'Rourke told the meeting that neither local councillors or stakeholders on the westside of Athlone had been made aware of key information regarding the project.

"I don't know the extent of the works," Cllr O'Rourke said, "I don't know when it starts, or who the contractor is, and neither do the local stakeholders.

"I can't answer questions put to me on the west side of Athlone – it's madness. We're a bit loose and easy around the plans."

He referred to a previous occasion where stakeholders had not been informed of works with sufficient time, saying there had been "blue murder" in the town as a result.

"We need two weeks minimum to engage with the stakeholders on the west side," he added. "In the first instance [the councillors] should see a presentation, and we should invite the stakeholders in."

Cllr O'Rourke received the support of his fellow councillors, who noted that it reflected badly on them to be out of the loop on such matters.

"Time is of the essence for engagement and communication," said fellow Fianna Fáil Councillor Frankie Keena, with Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan adding: "I would like to engage so that everyone is informed going forward".

Council Director of Services Jackie Finney responded that, now that the contractor was in place, the matter could be brought to the next district meeting.

"There's archaeological factors to be considered," added District Engineer Willie Ryan. "There are going to be two bi-weekly meetings with the contractor ahead of the start date.

"The area that will be most impacted will be beside the river, because it is such an enclosed space. Under the bridge, the car parking along the shore, and Viking Mike. We will try to minimise disruptions. Works will run parallel to each other to ensure this."

The meeting was told that arrangements would be made to ensure visitor access to the castle would not be blocked off during the upcoming works.

A separate, Just Transition-funded, revamp of the visitor experience within the castle itself is also planned for later this year, with the latter project due to result in the relocation of the Fáilte Ireland tourist office in the castle from September.