Council go-ahead for wedding venue plan for Portlick Castle

Kevin O'Neill

Plans by a US-based couple to convert the 12th century Portlick Castle in Glasson into a small venue for weddings and other functions has been granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council, subject to 12 conditions.

The recently-made decision brings an end to a process that started for the applicants, California-based couple Vincent and Bonnie Cullinan, in May of last year. Initially, the couple applied for permission for a formal change of use of the previously converted private residence into a guest house/function venue, with 12 existing en-suite bedrooms within the castle and coach house, commercial kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, bar and lounge, toilets, stores and associated site works.

Retention permission was also sought for extensive essential repairs which have been carried out to the tower roof and other parts of the building, including the removal of all internal concrete floors (at ground floor level and first floor level in Great Hall) and replacement with limecrete floors and underfloor heating systems as well as repair and replacement of existing timber windows; and the removal of damaged and rotten internal wall dry lining systems and their replacement. Retention permission was also sought for a marquee extension of the function room.

In its initial response to the application, the council sought further information on ten aspects of the plan, including what it said was a failure by the applicants to seek retention permission for the change of use from coach house to residential/guesthouse and the change of use of the castle from private residential use to guesthouse.

Further information was also sought in relation to wastewater management/treatment; ecology; heritage; architectural conservation; archaeological investigations and fire risk assessment.

Thereafter, a large portfolio of documentation, on behalf of the castle's owners, was submitted to council planners on foot of the further information request, including a copy of the revised site layout drawings by Athlone-based MMA Architects, who are leading the restoration project. It also contained a revised architectural layout confirming the provision of a fire-protected stairwell serving upper levels of the castle and connecting to an existing stone stairs providing final exit to ground level.

That report concluded that the proposals included in the revised architectural layout “significantly improve life safety” within the castle by establishing a “clear, protected and continuous means of escape from all accommodation levels”.

It further stated that the existing wastewater treatment tank and system installed at Portlick Castle has a design capacity for a population equivalent of 50 – made up of 14 bedrooms with two people per room and two function rooms with a maximum capacity of 80 people.

In response, Westmeath County Council said it deemed the new information provided to be “significant further information”, while also instructing the applicants to publicise the submission of the revised plans, which would allow further public submissions.

In the council's final decision, it said it considered the proposed development and retention of works, subject to the conditions, to be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area.

As part of the conditions, the guesthouse/function room shall not be used by more than 50 persons at a time, including guests, patrons, visitors and staff, unless the wastewater treatment system has been upgraded pursuant to a separate grant of planning permission to cater for proposed commercial events.

The marquee, the council ruled, shall be retained for a temporary period of five years from the date of the final grant of permission. The council further stated that all historic features should be repaired and retained in-situ as, far as reasonably possible, including historic staircases, doors, architraves, shutter boxes and picture rails. Where historic floorboards survive, they are to be repaired and retained.

The historic castle on the shores of Lough Ree was in the ownership of Australian businessman, art collector and poet, Luke Whitington for more than 30 years before being sold to Vincent Cullinan and his wife, Bonnie, in 2021.

In a 2023 interview the Cullinans signalled their intention of making the property available via weddings, short stays, and local charitable events.