Castle to be reopened despite row

DESPITE an ongoing row about planning permission arising from a 1.6m restoration of Listowel Castle, the castle is due to be officially reopened by Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW) Tom Parlon on Thursday.

Listowel Town Council claims the OPW breached planning laws by erecting a performance area outside the 15th century building as part of the restoration project.

The OPW ceased work on the site after receiving a warning notice from the council and has since lodged a planning application to retain the structure.

Kerry mayor and Listowel town councillor Ned O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil, yesterday said the OPW would not have got itself into such an embarrassing situation if it followed planning procedures.

“It must be most embarrassing for the minister to come here on Thursday and find himself standing on ground that’s in breach of the planning law,” Mr O’Sullivan remarked.

An OPW spokesman said they believed the structure fell within the planning that had been granted for landscaping the area around the castle and that it was therefore exempt from planning. He also said it would enhance the town if used appropriately during events such as Listowel Writers’ Week.

Mr O’Sullivan criticised the OPW for not fully consulting with the town council about its work in front of the castle. He said that while everyone in Listowel welcomed the work on the castle, it was unfortunate that such a fine job on the castle itself has been marred by what the OPW has done with the area just outside it, which has always been known as the castle lawn.

“At this stage, I think it would be better if the OPW deferred its retention application until after it met with town management and councillors in Listowel and members of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. A little bit of consultation goes a long way.”