NAAS: 19 April 2001: by Brian Byrne. Naas UDC and Kildare County Council have been asked to take a ‘partnership approach’ to a proposed renovation of Jigginstown Castle.
The Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaelteacht and the Islands has approved a grant of £500,000 for the renovation, which will involve taking out trees, improving access, and restoring aspects of the unique brick vaulting.
“It is NOT going to be rebuilt,” Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane told councillors at the April monthly meeting of the UDC. “But it is a chance for Naas to have an historical site of major importance.”
Naas UDC’s support for the project could take a number of forms, Mr Kirrane said, such as providing floodlighting or undertaking the ongoing cost of such a facility, or in supplying a number of information plaques for the site.
The renovation project is planned to take place between 2002-2003. UDC members supported the project in principle, saying it fitted in with a number of other Naas attractions, such as canal walks.
©2001brianbyrne/knn
