Funding needed to restore castle

MAJOR State funding is required to restore one of Kerry’s best-known picture postcard castles.

The Government yesterday announced that some of the €148,000 ear-marked for heritage projects in Kerry will be used to stabilise what remains of Ballybunion Castle. But, Kerry County Council estimates restoration costs could amount to €500,000.

Overlooking the Shannon estuary, Ballybunion Castle, which was severely damaged by lightening during Christmas 1999, is the most recognisable landmark in the north Kerry seaside resort. The castle also forms the logo of the internationally-famous Ballybunion golf club.

Less than a quarter of the original structure is left standing and, just to retain the castle in its current structural format, it would need major investment, according to the council.

But, Ballybunion-based Sinn Féin Councillor Robert Beasley said successive ministers have ignored the castle and local people were very disappointed with work that had been done so far. “What’s left of the castle is like something out of Star Trek. The Government must come up with substantial funding for restoration, but there’s a definite lack of interest in it at government level,” he said.