Residents objecting to a 21bedroom hotel, public house and theatre development at Rathfarnham Castle, south county Dublin, yesterday staged a protest at the proposed site.
Nearly 100 people from local residents' associations gathered in the grounds of the castle which they claim is one of Ireland's most important monuments.
Mr Chris Carroll, chairman of the Rathfarnham Castle Community Association, said the site included the remains of buildings which formed part of the castle complex. It would appear that these were former stables and other ancillary buildings.
"Rathfarnham Castle is a national monument and it should be treated as such. The whole site is covered by a preservation order but already they've taken away some trees from the park and dug up the grass."
However, South Dublin County Council said the outbuildings needed refurbishment; they were derelict and dangerous and attracted anti-social behaviour, such as drug-taking. A commercial development would benefit the community.
Residents had set out their objections in a submission to South Dublin County Council. The castle itself had been taken into the care of the Office of Public Works. It has been restored and opened to the public. Some of the castle's grounds had also been preserved and were in use as a public park.
Mr Abe Jacobs, senior administrative officer in the planning department of the council, said the area associated with the castle was regarded as that of the OPW. However, the lands around the castle, including the out-buildings, belonged to the council.
He said the proposal for the hotel, bar, theatre and car-parking was a joint venture between the council and a private concern, Rathfarnham Courtyard Developments Ltd. "The county council didn't itself have the money to devote to the refurbishment of the area. The buildings are derelict and dangerous and there is antisocial behaviour there, including drug-taking. We wanted the place cleaned up."
The council asked for tenders for a proposal for a mixed development. Obviously, the developers would have to have a commercial trade-off. The development would cost around £800,000.
The renovation of the outhouses, some of which were architecturally significant, was planned. Two were being converted into the theatre, which would be handed to the council which, in turn, would give it to local drama groups. Another would be refurbished as a restaurant.
Rathfarnham Castle is a semi-fortified house, dating from 1590. It contains 18th century apartments designed by Sir William Chambers and James "Athenian" Stuart.