Menlo Castle to remain ruin as restoration plan vetoed

A city castle will be preserved ‘in ruins’ after proposals by City Hall officials to restore it were shot down by City Councillors.

Plans by City Council officials for a full restoration programme for Menlo Castle were rejected by the elected members who voted instead to “preserve the ruin” rather than restore it.

Labour City Councillor Derek Nolan argued that restoring the castle would set a precedent of allowing a development to take place close to the river Corrib.

Cllr Nolan also argued that the site and castle did not have “great heritage value” that would merit it being restored.

Instead he argued it should be preserved as a ruin. “Just because it is a ruin does not mean we cannot enjoy its value,” he said.

Fianna Fáil’s Mike Crowe disagreed and said the Council should not rule out the restoration option. City Councillors voted by eight votes to seven to preserve the ruin, against the wishes of City Hall officials. The Council has also pledged to explore the potential to develop a park on land adjacent to the castle.

Businessman Noel Smyth, a native of The Claddagh, had previously proposed a €12 million redevelopment of the castle. The proposal would have involved the businessman funding the restoration of the 17th century castle and its grounds on condition that he could retain a 2,150 square foot penthouse. This project was held up, however, due to the credit crunch.

The ancestral home of the Blakes, one of the thirteen ‘Tribes’ of Galway, Menlo Castle was occupied by them up until a disastrous fire in 1910, which left only the walls of the ancient building standing – the fire claimed the lives of Miss Ellen Blake, who was an invalid, and a 25 years old servant, Delia Earley.

In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the safety of the structure, and the risk it poses to people visiting the ruins.