OPW addresses community concerns regarding proposed temporary car park at Castletown House and Parklands

The Office of Public Works (OPW) remains fully committed to reuniting the historic demesne at Castletown House by acquiring lands that formed part of the original estate, including those lands that would allow for continued access from the M4 motorway. The OPW continues to work with Kildare County Council to consider how this might be advanced.

OPW has heard the concerns of the community regarding a proposed temporary car park at the Celbridge Avenue entrance to Castletown House. Our priority is to try to ensure provision of suitable visitor car parking access on site for visitors of all ages and abilities. We also want to ensure that there are no knock-on traffic problems in the surrounding housing estates and the village of Celbridge.

We wish to emphasise our commitment to the local community in particular and we ask for local representatives and community activists to work with the OPW in the coming days to achieve a parking solution for visitors arriving at Castletown in the coming weeks.

The OPW proactively updated local councillors on this matter on Friday, 8 September, as soon as plans for the temporary car park were finalised. Officials from the OPW today met with TD’s, councillors, residents associations and other Celbridge groups for a detailed discussion on the issues. The OPW notes the concerns raised and wishes to work closely now with these parties to achieve an outcome acceptable to all.

The proposed works on State-owned lands will facilitate continued vehicular access to Castletown House and Parklands. No trees will be felled and the temporary location is outside the zone of the historic protected views from the house. We would like to assure the public that, as an award winning site for biodiversity, this temporary car park will not impact on biodiversity protection.

The temporary car park will be located inside the Celbridge Gate. Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be given priority access at Celbridge Avenue (Lime Avenue).

Notes

About the OPW at Castletown House and Parklands

The OPW has been managing Castletown House since the property and some immediately adjacent lands were donated to the State in 1994. Since then the OPW has significantly invested into the conservation, restoration and cultural and recreational amenities at this important heritage site. Over time, the OPW has also acquired additional lands that formed part of the original estate, where they became available, to reunite the historic demesne. The OPW wishes to continue acquiring suitable lands where they become available.

Castletown is one of OPW’s most visited heritage sites in Ireland. The popularity of Castletown can be attributed to the beautifully restored parklands, gardens, wildflower meadows, river and forest walks in a unique historical and architectural setting, as well as the varied programme of events on site, and close proximity and connectivity to the capital and neighbouring towns.

Earlier this year, 235 acres of lands around Castletown House were sold on the open market. The State was unsuccessful in its efforts to acquire these lands which are now in private ownership. The OPW subsequently entered negotiations with the new owners regarding the terms of a licence which, since 2007, has ensured access to Castletown House and Parklands from the M4 motorway. Unfortunately, it was not possible to agree reasonable and feasible terms for access.

For more information or to arrange an interview opportunity with an OPW spokesperson, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

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