A chara, – Castletown House is a magnificent Palladian mansion in Celbridge, Co Kildare. It was saved from dereliction, demolition and development by the late Desmond Guinness in 1967 and the OPW currently manages it as a thriving park and tourist site. For those of us in north Kildare, particularly families, it’s a regular destination for walking, playing, running, feeding the ducks and occasional lunches.
As reported in “Kildare developers pay over €5m for 235-acre Celbridge landbank” (Business, April 12th), agricultural lands adjoining the Castletown estate were bought by private parties, who outbid the OPW.
This land includes the main access route from the M4 and Leixlip, and also the car park. From this Friday (September 15th), this route will be closed to all pedestrian, cyclist or motor traffic.
The OPW is scrambling to build a new car park at the other side of the estate, which will bring all motor access through the heart of an already congested Celbridge village. Thousands of regular visitors who use the current access will essentially be cut off from a much-needed amenity.
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The Government, ultimately responsible for the OPW, must now intervene and acquire at least the access route by compulsory purchase order, but preferably the entirety of the lands to hold in posterity for future generations and the benefit of all in north Kildare and further afield. – Is mise,
BRIAN McARDLE,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.