An East Galway TD has welcomed confirmation that the Gate Lodge at Portumna Castle is to be re-developed as a new visitors` reception area.
Minister for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon has said that the re-development will ensure that visitors to the soon to commence new car parking area will not have far to go to avail of reception services when they arrive.
“Earlier this year, I was delighted that, having worked with Ministers Madigan and Doyle on the issue, the Gate Lodge at Portumna Castle was acquired by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, thus ensuring that it will continue to benefit the local tourism sector”.
“Im very pleased therefore that Minister Kevin Boxer Moran has now confirmed for me that the OPW is pursuing the re-development of the Gate Lodge as a new visitors` reception area”.
“This is a use I had been promoting for the Gate Lodge and will ensure that visitors to the soon to commence new car parking area won`t have far to go to avail of reception services when they arrive”.
“Minister Moran has also informed me that there is some work to be done in refurbishing the Gate Lodge prior to this which will include upgrade to the roof, windows and doors, in addition to new mechanical and electrical installations”.
“It is also anticipated that this plan will ensure that the current visitor reception area will be freed up to accommodate the display of Portumna Castle`s seventeenth-century cannon,” concluded Minister Cannon.
