COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Area Committee asks that SDCC assist the Brigid's Festival Committee in lighting up the Round Tower with an image for the festival (to be supplied by the committee) and to outline what's involved and to work with the committee in looking at getting other local buildings lit up next year.

REPORT:

 The Round Tower at Clondalkin is under the auspices of the Office Of Public Work. The Tower forms part of the Round Tower Visitor Centre – Brú Chrónáin.

As part of the drive to animate the heritage and culture of the locality, and to enhance the tourism potential of the site, the Round Tower has been lit up usually with tinted or coloured light to mark St Patrick’s Day, Christmas, World Tourism Day, the Chinese New Year and the success of the men’s and women’s gaelic football teams. These have been agreed with the OPW. 

The Office of Public Works frequently receives requests from a great number of committees and organisations who wish to light up various national monuments in State care for various charities, etc. The OPW has stated that it is difficult to choose one very deserving cause over another and so, in the interest of fairness and for operational reasons, regrettably, the Office of Public Works has to refuse requests.

Any request to illuminate the Round Tower monument with a coloured light or coloured tint, which is consistent with enhancing the tourism potential of the area, or is consistent with a council related function, will be considered by the County Promotion Unit and a final decision determined by the OPW.

As per the policy on illuminating the Round Tower with tinted or coloured light as agreed by SPC in 2021, requests, containing details, dates and preferred colour should be sent to the Administrative Officer, County Promotion Unit, Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development Directorate via e-mail econdev@sdublincoco.ie at least six weeks in advance of the proposed first day of illumination.

If the Motion is passed, the Council will consider a request containing details as set out above to econdev@sdublincoco.ie, with a final decision determined by the OPW.  

Limiting the number of times the Tower is illuminated increases its impact and represents a statement of identity. It is neither proposed nor would it be appropriate to commit to further annual lightings of the Tower beyond those agreed as they arise with the OPW.