Castletown House Celbridge County Kildare
Castletown House, Celbridge one of the most important houses in Ireland and one of significance in terms of European architectural heritage re-opened last Summer following an extensive restoration programme carried out by the Office of Public Works. The intention is to raise visitor numbers from 10,000 in a year, as previously, to 200,000 a year.
The Office of Public Works manages the main house, its wings and adajacent buildings and approx. 120 acres of the original 550 acre original demesne. Coillte, the semi-state forestry company, owns some 120 acres of the woodlands of the original demesne and Kildare County Council has taken in charge some further 25 acres approx. of woodland from the Castletown housing estates. The balance of land surrounding Castletown is owned by a private company. Recently Kildare County Council has also taken possession of 30 acres approx. of parkland in the Donaghcumper demesne on the south bank of the river facing the house, which was an integral part of the designed landscape of the demesne.
At a meeting between the Celbridge Area Committee of Kildare County Council and Commissioner David Byers of the Office of Public Works it was agreed that, following on the success of this phase of work to the house and immediate surrounds, and given the present multiple ownership of land, all parties would work together in the next phase of the programme to restore the landscaped demesne of parkland, woodland and riverscapes for the benefit of the people of Celbridge, of north Kildare, of the greater Dublin region, of the people of Ireland and beyond.
The current programme of works being undertaken at the House by the OPW involves a significant investment in upgrading the visitor facilities and services in the main house and in the West Wing. The aim is to bring the facilities and the presentation of the House up to modern standards befitting one of the major heritage sites in the country. The current works are part of a planned phased development programme that will see, ultimately the creation of a significantly enhanced public amenity at Castletown. One of the main elements in this will be the development of the OPW managed grounds at Castletown together with linked pathways across the river and through the woods.
Significantly the two historic vistas from the house to Conollys Obelisk and to the Wonderful Barn have been now been re-established. This has been achieved by the OPW with the co-operation of the landowners across whose land the vistas stretch. The Obelisk has been designated a National Monument and a two year conservation project on it has commenced. The objective, subject to conservation and health and safety issues being resolved, is to achieve public access to the viewing platform in the Obelisk. The Wonderful Barn and its suroundings have come into the ownership of Kildare County Council and they are working with the Irish Landmark Trust in the development of a programme to secure its conservation and future use.
The Batty Langley Lodge which was acquired by the OPW in December 2006 and the conservation of it commenced in the Autumn of 2007 in collaboration with the Irish Landmark Trust. The OPW has re-opened the entrance to Castletown from the Dublin Gate alongside the Batty Langley Lodge for pedestrian access only.
Planning permission was sought and received from Kildare County Council in 2005 to provide railings at key sections around the Main House at Castletown. These railings will help in the management of activities close to the house itself and to protect the house from anti-social behaviour and damage.
Planning permission was also sought and received to erect new Entrance Gates and railings on the Celbridge Avenue set back from the original gates to the town. These gates have been open for pedestrian access since last July.
In the interest of proper traffic management and public safety, all vehicular access to Castletown House will be from the M4 motorway sliproad and that car and coach parking will be provided at the East side of the house.
All of the gates into Castletown will open on a dawn to dusk policy in line with other parks in the care of the OPW. Acknowledging local traditions one pedestrian gate at the Celbridge Entrance Gate will allow pedestrian access outside of these hours. The present multiple access points from the existing housing estates through the woods will be the subject of discussions with resident associations with a view to their rationalisation. The overall issue of access will be kept under review as the anticipated success of the reopening unfolds.
A new Exhibition space has been created in the Main Block of Castletown for temporary exhibitions and opened last July with a prestigious exhibition called Art of the State Journeys - with artworks drawn from the OPWs State Art Collection and the Dept. of Finance and Personnel, Northern Irelands Art Collection.
A new Restaurant is now open in the West Wing of Castletown and be managed by Claire Hanley Catering.
There are new Visitor Service facilities for visitors to include a new Reception and Ticket Office, space to leave buggies, coats, bags etc.
Subject to continued government funding, it is intended that coincidental with the phased restoration of the demesne parkland, will be further restoration of the yards and outbuildings and the development of the East Wing of the House as a function and event venue.
Jointly issued by Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council
