Past brought back to life in €5.7m castle revamp

Limerick’s King John’s Castle re-opened yesterday following a €5.7m redevelopment.

And the man involved in designing Belfast’s Titanic visitor attraction reckons the 13th century castle can rival what the northern city that has to offer tourists.

Andrew Todd’s Tandem company also designed and put together the various elements of the King John’s Castle experience

“The difference between the Titanic and King John’s Castle experience is that what we helped develop in Belfast is based around a story, whereas here you can see the stone used to build the castle, the towers used in its defence. It really tells the story of the castle as it was built over 150 years.

“It has been designed with all visitor categories and ages in mind. There is so much authenticity.”

Connie Airey from nearby St Mary’s parish, was among the hundreds of visitors yesterday.

“All I can say is ‘wow’! I will be telling everybody. The mind boggles at what they have achieved here.”

Mary Donnelly, who lives on King’s Island, said: “The investment was well worth it. The castle now revitalises this whole area and it will draw people from all over the world.”

Another visitor was Mick Fearnley from Victoria in Australia who is on a holiday here with his wife Ann.

Mick, 61, said: “I found it a very peaceful and informative experience. What you see is the real thing.”

Touch-screen technology connects visitors to tales of sieges and warfare, while audio visuals and 3D models help visitors delve into the castle’s history.

Costumed characters roam the site as visitors meet ‘Nicholas the Master Mason’, ‘Willem the cheerful Moneyer’ (King John’s Castle had its own mint), and the grim Constable Roger De Lees.

In the castle courtyard visitors get a sense of the bustling activity that took place including the blacksmith’s workshop complete with tools and weapons.

- The castle opens daily from 9.30am-5.30pm.

Rates: adults €9, seniors €6.65, children under five free; family rate two adults and two children €20.60; two adults and up to six children €23.50. Tickets can be purchased at the site or at shannonheritage.com