Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
187. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on his engagements with stakeholders in relation to Dunguaire Castle in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44949/26]
View answerI attended a constructive meeting last December regarding Dunguaire Castle, with local representatives along with representatives of my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Galway County Council and the Department of Transport.
Fáilte Ireland provides supports to owners of cultural and heritage properties to support the development of their tourism offerings. Their objective is to enhance the visitor experience while safeguarding the cultural and historical significance of this exceptional landmark. At present, there are no suitable capital grant schemes open that could fund a project of the type that would be required in the case of Dunguaire Castle. When an appropriate new scheme becomes available, a funding application could be submitted by the current owners (Shannon Airport Group), provided all scheme criteria are met.
The question of bringing Dunguaire Castle into State ownership does not fall within the remit of my Department. Responsibility for determining the appropriate statutory designation, ownership pathway and future custodianship of the property rests with the relevant heritage and local government authorities. In the first instance, this is a matter for Galway County Council and for my colleague Minister Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including consideration of whether the property should be designated as a national monument. Such a designation could, in turn, provide a basis for any subsequent transfer of ownership or management to the Office of Public Works, subject to that Office determining that such a transfer is appropriate and within its functions.
In the meantime I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to explore and advance opportunities for harnessing the tourism potential of State-owned lands, heritage sites, and cultural assets, and that Fáilte Ireland remains open to engaging with relevant stakeholders for this project to explore future possibilities for this property should its ownership or designation status change.
