Office of Public Works calls for Public Assistance in Uncovering Missing Pieces of History at Aughnanure Castle

This year, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Aughnanure Castle being open to the public. In celebration of this milestone, the Office of Public Works (OPW) will be holding an event later in the year to mark this special occasion. In preparation for this event, OPW are calling on the public to provide any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure or the O’Flahertys that you may have.

Aughnanure Castle was gifted to the Office of Public Works from Peadar O’Flaherty in 1952 for preservation as a National Monument. By the early 1960s, the painstaking restoration had begun, involving the use of traditional techniques and specialist conservation, before finally being opened to the public in 1974. Today Aughnanure Castle remains a striking silhouette on the shores of the Drimneen River, welcoming thousands of visitors from all corners of the world.

Over the last number of years OPW have been delving into the archives, in search of the missing pieces of information on Aughnanure and the O’Flahertys. Access to archival material, pre-restoration photography, antiquarian accounts, historical maps and plans has produced exciting new knowledge that has provided answers to many questions. This important research is to provide you, the public, with the most complete interpretation of the site possible.

However, many research questions still remain unanswered. We are hoping that with your help, we can find these vital missing pieces that will help us to present a refreshed programme of interpretation that has the potential to significantly enrich the current understanding of the site to the public.

We are now asking you for any photos, film, stories, memories and/or folklore relating to Aughnanure or the O’Flahertys. Perhaps you visited the castle and have photos, or someone you know has photos? Maybe you heard a story about the O’Flahertys? We want to know! If you have any information, we would love to hear about it. Call in to see us at the castle or email us at: aughnanurecastle@opw.ie

Notes

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request to discuss this initiative. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.

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