Malahide Castle Revamp
Updated : Jul 16, 2009
Malahide Castle and its gardens are being given a major revamp costing up to €10million in an effort to attract more visitors to its medieval splendour.
Those behind the scheme hope that the move will see the tourist attraction rival Powerscourt House and gardens in the tourist stakes the Herald reports.
"We hope to surpass the numbers going to Powerscourt centre. We're near to a central location and it can be the first leg of a journey for tourists when they come out of the airport, or it can be a last leg when they check out of their hotel or leave the country.
"The timescale is for a two year build, and we'll begin in spring of next year," but he added: "There are still many challenges ahead to deliver it," Senan Turnbull [director of Community, Recreation and Amenities] told last night's monthly meeting of Fingal County Council.
He added that the project will be part funded by Failte Ireland under the National Development Plan.
"We're very pleased to get the largest grant allocated in the whole country of €3.75 million from the National Development Plan.
"The money is only available with specific criteria, which is to promote national visitor numbers." A spokesperson for the council added: "The walled garden is the hidden jewel of the castle grounds."
She said the aim is to improve the connection from Malahide village to the castle grounds, by way of signage, and there will be a new route through to a central area in the castle grounds which will have a ticket office, restaurants, toilets and shops.
She said downloads to ipods will also be made available, to explain plants and all the aspects of the gardens.
The meeting also heard that while 135,000 people visit the gardens every year, Powerscourt gardens attracts 250,000.
Cllr Anne Devitt (Fine Gael) sayid: "It's time we see Fingal County Council getting our money back. This will give us the return over the 15 years."
