'Council must buy this Galway site before a private owner snaps it up forever'
If one of Galway’s most iconic landmarks and tourists attractions wants to stay open, locals feel buying this site is essential
The ongoing saga surrounding a closed Galway landmark and tourist attraction has taken another twist in the tale as the land adjacent is currently up for sale in a “make-or-break” moment for the area’s tourism.
Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara has been locked in a reopening battle for nearly three years with The New York Times even recently highlighting its long time closure.
But Kinvara’s Local Hertiage Group have made one thing very clear about the nearby sale of land: “Galway County Council must step up and secure this site immediately before a private owner snaps it up forever”.
Keane Mahony and Smith who are dealing with the sale said: “Although the castle has been closed pending restoration works, it continues to attract substantial visitor numbers to its grounds and viewing areas, demonstrating the enduring strength of the location and the attraction's international profile.”
The Shannon Airport Group owns the castle, but in 2021, as its heritage division stepped back from tourism, the group moved to transfer several castles to local authorities.
The transfer of Dunguaire Castle to Galway County Council did not complete, and in 2023 the gates were locked.
Galway County Council has stated it will take on the castle, but only with a Government funding commitment. It has confirmed that its formal requests for capital funding have so far been unsuccessful.
Kinvara Local Heritage Group say the 2.7 acres beside the castle is essential if a proper and successful reopening is possible.
They warned: “Galway County Council must step up and secure this site immediately before a private owner snaps it up forever.
“The 2.7-acre plot beside Dunguaire Castle is officially up for sale, and it is a make-or-break moment for Kinvara tourism.
“The castle has been closed since 2023. If we want it to successfully reopen and thrive, we need this land to build proper coach parking, visitor facilities, a dedicated experience centre, and artisan spaces to get traffic off our narrow roads and support the Kinvara community - alongside the thousands of tourists who visit every week. ”
They continued: “If this site falls into the wrong hands, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect our local heritage and boost our village economy will be lost for good.
“Clare County Council bought lands adjoining Bunratty Castle - Galway County Council cannot miss this rare opportunity to buy this site.
“We need to act now.”
“Please contact your local Galway County Councillors and TDs immediately. Make your feelings known, and demand that the Council prioritises purchasing this strategic site for public and tourism infrastructure.”
One of The New York Times’ longest reporters and columnists Dan Barry was baffled when he landed on the scenic site last month only to find that its main draw for tourists was closed and has been for some years now.
Penned best by Barry, whose in depth report you can find here, who says: “A sign on the entrance gate suggests that Ireland, known as the land of 100,000 welcomes, might have to reduce that number by at least one: ‘castle and grounds closed to the public’.”
Fran O’Reilly of the Save Kinvara Castle campaign added that hundreds of tourists still arrive every week, “wondering how such a beautiful and historically significant castle can be left to deteriorate”.
The launch of a new website, SaveKinvaraCastle.com, and a short film highlighting the castle and its closure was done in the hope of rallying the public to keep the pressure on until a concrete plan is published.
Fran previously said: "The volume of emails from around the world in little more than a month is testament to the strength of feeling and the international interest in this place," he said.
"It is a national disgrace that local people and visitors alike continue to be met with such neglect at one of our most prominent and much-loved landmarks. After three years, this situation is no longer disappointing. It is an embarrassment,” he added.
The campaign has drawn support from Ireland and around the world. To date it has generated more than 1,500 emails to decision-makers.
And its QR code, which opens a ready-written email to key figures including Galway County Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Shannon Airport Group and East Galway Oireachtas members, has been scanned over 4,500 times by people from 49 countries and 322 cities, from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro and Taipei to Seattle. The closure has also been raised three times in Dáil Éireann.
Members of the public are being asked to visit SaveKinvaraCastle.com and scan the campaign QR code to send their own email, calling on decision-makers to work together to reopen the gates of Dunguaire Castle.