COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor S. Laing

CATHAOIRLEACH'S BUSINESS

"That the Manager give a report on the provision of services in Rathfarnham Castle."

REPORT:

As agreed at the Terenure/Rathfarnham meeting on June 13th 2006, the proposed restoration and development of the courtyards at Rathfarnham Castle is being advanced by the Council as a joint initiative with the Office of Public Works. Several meetings have since taken place to progress the matter.

The Office of Public Works has engaged a consultant who is currently undertaking a feasibility study to explore the potential uses and development of Rathfarnham Castle including the courtyards. The consultant has been asked by the Parks Department to incorporate facilities for local community activities in their proposals for the courtyards and their buildings and to take account of the Council’s requirement to retain a Parks Depot within the complex as well as accommodating the re-erection of a Turner Conservatory. It is anticipated that this study will be completed by the end of 2007. When the feasibility study is completed, the next step is to prepare a master plan for the courtyards which will be presented to a future meeting of the Terenure Rathfarnham Area Committee. The outstanding legal action against the Council in respect of the courtyards remains dormant.

In the interim, work is scheduled to commence on the development of the proposed ornamental garden within the next 3-4 weeks and a contractor will be appointed shortly to undertake the construction of the proposed new playground within the grounds of Rathfarnham Castle.