Council ‘dropped the ball’ over Dunguaire

GALWAY Couty Council has been accused of dropping the ball on the reopening of Dunguaire Castle, amid fears that the landmark tourist attraction could be “bought out from under the county”.

The warning came from Independent Cllr Geraldine Donohue, who requested copies of correspondence showing that the Council had applied for government funding to purchase, restore and reopen the castle.

Chief Executive Liam Conneally confirmed that commitments have been given from the Minister for Tourism and that a significant amount of work is taking place.

“We have met with the Minister for Tourism and we have been given commitments, and those are being followed through,” he said.

“Some information is commercially sensitive, however. A significant amount of work is happening underneath the surface. A bit of patience is needed and we will work through it.”

At this month’s meeting of Galway County Council, Cllr Donohue questioned whether enough was being done to secure the reopening of the popular tourist attraction along the Wild Atlantic Way.

“Did we drop the ball?” she asked.

“Are we doing enough? Nothing happened between 2021 and 2023. How did Galway County Council not pack their own parachute? My fear is that it will be bought out from under the county.”

Fine Gael Cllr Paul Killilea commended the “valiant efforts” of council officials and said progress had been made.

“Dunguaire is part of the Galway tourism strategy and the Wild Atlantic Way,” he said.

“I am only a mile up the road. I know the impact it is having on our village.”

The castle has remained closed since ownership became stuck in limbo in August 2023, when the planned transfer from Shannon Heritage to Galway County Council stalled.

The Council has repeatedly said it will assume responsibility for the site once funding is secured.

Chief Executive Liam Conneally insisted the local authority had been actively pursuing the transfer since being notified of Shannon Group’s plans to divest its heritage properties.

“I got a phone call from the previous CEO of Shannon Group to say they were divesting themselves of Shannon Heritage properties and Dunguaire Castle was their last transaction,” he said.

“That commenced in 2023. We have been on this since the word go, no dropping the ball, no missing a trick. This is a priority for the organisation.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.