PART OF the top of a 15th century castle in Claregalway, Co Galway, will have to be removed following An Bord Pleanála’s decision to refuse planning permission to retain a louver roof structure on the protected building.
Substantial renovation works have been carried out by Eamonn O’Donoghue, who owns the historic property on the Clare river. The works have generated considerable interest from passers-by over the past five years.
Mr O’Donoghue is transforming the five-storey tower castle into a family home and has previously been granted permission to restore and conserve the existing tower house, adapt other structures on the site, remove a 20th century concrete lodge and provide a family home on site.
The restoration work has proved to be a long, detailed process, with extensive stone masonry work carried out.
In recent times a tower was erected on the top of the castle. This was not included in the original planning permission, and last year Mr O’Donoghue applied for planning permission to retain the fumerel (a structure to allow smoke to escape from a central hearth in the castle).
An Bord Pleanála said the structure would seriously injure the amenity of the area and the integrity of the castle if retained.