COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

QUESTION NO. 36

QUESTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive for an update as to what steps are planned to realise the tourism potential of various heritage sites in the Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill electoral areas, specifically with regard to St Finian's Church in Lucan, the Silver Bridge, the Grange Castle and King John's Bridge. 

 

REPLY:

In June 2019 the Heritage Council announced that Esker Church, Lucan was selected to benefit from its Adopt A Monument Programme. The programme, which is an initiative of the Heritage Council and is managed by Abarta Heritage, offers expertise, mentoring and support to communities to help them care for their local heritage. Esker Church is an 11th century ruined church in Lucan, associated with St. Finian. The Old Lucan Society aims to further study and survey this site and raise awareness locally of this historic monument. 

The Council is awaiting an updated feasibility study regarding potential works to the Silver Bridge as provided for through the €300k Have Your Say participatory budgeting initiative. This is a joint project with Fingal County Council and they have indicated that the initial report should be completed in November. The Council are awaiting this report before considering any works.

King John’s Bridge is one of the oldest standing bridges in Ireland. Conservation works are ongoing on the tree roots at the bridge and will continue to be so until mid-2020 so as to avoid any damage to the bridge’s integrity, meanwhile work continues on the pocket park within the Grange Castle Business Park.