Kilkenny Castle is getting a bit of a face lift – as well as an actual new lift!
Planning permission is being sought for a number of works that will see new toilets and changing rooms installed, along with a redesign of the courtyard to incorporate the recent archeological projects.
However, Rosemary Collier from the OPW says the main job is a new elevator that will allow wheelchair access to the Long Gallery for the first time.
She’s told KCLR News that the fact disabled people still can’t get into important parts of the Castle is unacceptable.
“People with limited mobility, or indeed wheelchair users, cannot access that gallery in the Castle, which is a great shame to us, and a great shame on the State. So this [planning] application is really important because we’re going to finally address the issue of universal access to all aspects of the Castle through the installation of this lift.”
Rosemary says they’re also hoping to tackle the lack of toilets at Castle Park with the projected works, explaining that “We want to install additional toilet facilities that can be accessed externally by parkland users. There is a challenge at the moment that we have [toilets in the Castle itself] but of course if you’re just visiting the park you have to come right in through the buildings to use those, so we need to address that need.”
“The upgrades will focus on maximising both the new and old gems of Castle Park for future visitors. “We’re doing an upgrade of our Courtyard as well. Many people will be familiar with the archaeological work that we recently did on the Castle to expose its fourth wing” Rosemary explained. “The remains of that archaeology will remain exposed and we will upgrade the Courtyard landscaping of the Castle and do some works on upgrading the Rose Garden as well”
