Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
186. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on his engagements with stakeholders in relation to a site (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29992/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
However, the matter of bringing this property into state ownership is outside the remit of my Department. It is a matter for either Galway County Council or alternatively for my colleague Minister Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to consider its designation as a national monument, which in turn could facilitate a transfer of ownership to the Office of Public Works (should such a transfer be deemed appropriate by that Office).
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 Failte 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.
