Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
545. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Burren National Park in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; the refurbishment works that are scheduled to commence at this National Park during the first half of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has carried out extensive refurbishment and related capital works in the Burren National Park between 2024 and 2025 in order to address longstanding shortcomings in facilities and provide adequate support to staff. To this end, the purchase of McGann’s Farm in Tullycommon in 2024 has provided an important base for staff within the region and will support operations within the Park for years to come.
Continued investment will be required in coming years to ensure ongoing improvements to visitor infrastructure and staff facilities, enhancing the experience for visitors to the area while supporting the NPWS’s core mission to protect nature.
A table outlining projects and their status in the Burren National Park is attached.
|
Year 2024 |
Works Commissioned |
Location in Burren National Park (NP) |
Complete (Y/N) |
|
1. |
Stockyard for Conservation Grazing |
Slieve Carron Nature Reserve (NR) |
Y |
|
2. |
Upgrade Road (Section of Marked Trail) |
Green Rd, Gortlecka |
Y |
|
3. |
Preparing and Submitting a Planning Application: Upgrade Existing Septic Tank to Effluent Treatment System and Soil Polishing Filter. |
Glencolumbkille South |
Y |
|
4. |
Condition Survey/Report, Conservation Report and Project Plan (Purcell’s Farm Complex); MOU with Irish Natural Stone. |
Purcell’s Farm Complex (Ruins): Keelhilla, Slieve Carron NR |
Y |
|
5. |
Preparing and Submitting a Planning Application to refurbish Research Centre (Burren Field Study Centre); MOU with Galway University. |
Carron Research Station, Fahee, Carron, Ennis. |
Y |
|
Farmhouse, Tullycommon |
|||
|
6. |
Asbestos Report, Removal and Disposal |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
7. |
Permission for Septic Tank Upgrade |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
8. |
Application Declaration of Exemption for Extension to Dwelling |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
9. |
Radon Test |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
10. |
SEAI Technical Assessment Report |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
11. |
Rewire House & Pump |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
12. |
Security CCTVs, Gate, Access Door & Lighting |
Farmhouse Area |
Y |
|
13. |
Rock Breaking & Concrete Works for Security Gate Entrance |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
14. |
Entrance: Refurbish Steel Gate, Piers, Wall |
Farm Entrance |
Y |
|
15. |
Driveway: Fence and gate |
Farm Entrance |
Y |
|
16. |
Driveway Gravel |
Farm Entrance |
Y |
|
17. |
Farmyard Gravel |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
18. |
Planning for 4 Agricultural Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
19. |
Stone for Shed Foundations |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
20. |
Concrete & Steel Mesh for Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
21. |
Shed Foundations |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
22. |
Supplies for Shed Roof Repairs |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
23. |
Electrical Works on Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
24. |
Construction of 2 Haybarns & 2 Lean-to open sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
25. |
Slate for Traditional Farm Buildings |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
26. |
Roofing/Gutters of Traditional Farm Buildings |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
27. |
Upgrade Farm Boundary Road |
Farm Boundary |
Y |
|
28. |
Orchard Fence |
Farm |
Y |
|
29. |
Submersible Pump Work |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
30. |
Fencing off Walking Trail |
Road adjacent to farm |
Y |
|
Year 2025 |
Works Commissioned |
Location in Burren National Park (NP) |
Complete (Y/N) |
|
31. |
Refurbish Ruin/Grounds: Clearing, Demolition, Roof and Flooring. |
Glencolmbkille National School (Ruin) |
Ongoing |
|
32. |
Restoration Services (Purcell’s Farm Complex) |
Purcell’s Farm Complex (Ruins): Keelhilla, Slieve NR |
Ongoing |
|
33. |
Consultation and Close Out for Works (Burren Field Study Centre) |
Carron Research Station, Fahee, Carron. |
Y |
|
Tullycommon |
|||
|
34. |
Supplies for Traditional Farm Buildings |
Farmhouse |
Y |
|
35. |
Refurbish Traditional Horse Stables |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
36. |
Rebuild Gable, Internal Repointing, Exterior Air-vents of Old Stone Building |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
37. |
Electrical Works on Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
38. |
Fire Alarms for 2 Machinery Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
39. |
Fire Management Plan and Fire Safety Equipment |
Farmhouse, Sheds and Yard |
Y |
|
40. |
Supplies for Reroofing Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
41. |
Construction of Replacement Haybarn |
Farmyard |
Ongoing |
|
42. |
Electrical Works on 4 High Bay Sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
43. |
Gravel - Roads around sheds |
Farmyard |
Y |
|
44. |
Install Cattle Crush & Water Pipes from Shed to Pump |
Farmyard |
Ongoing |
|
45. |
Submersible Pump Work |
Farmyard to Shed |
Y |
|
46. |
Removal of Old Wall & Water Tank. Excavate & Install New Water Tank, Water Pipes and Channels with Retaining Wall Around Shed. |
Farmyard |
Ongoing |
|
47. |
Establish Heritage Orchard; including Fencing; MOU with Irish Seed Savers. |
Rockforest |
Ongoing |
|
Year: 2026 |
Planned works |
Location in Burren National Park (NP) |
Status |
|
48 |
Refurbish of the Carran Field Study Centre |
Carran Village |
Proposed |
|
49 |
New Visitor Centre |
Corofin |
Proposed |
|
50 |
Reception area/all ability trail |
Rockforest |
Proposed |
|
51 |
Composting toilets |
Slieve Carron, Keelhilla, Kenny’s Cross |
Proposed |
|
52 |
Continued restoration of Purcell’s Farm Complex |
Purcell’s Farm Complex (Ruins): Keelhilla, Slieve NR |
Ongoing |
|
53 |
Continued refurbishment of Farmhouse |
Tullycommon, Carran |
Ongoing |
