At the monthly meeting of Athlone Town Council held this week plans for the regeneration of the town’s castle were revealed. The draft plan which was presented before the commencement of part eight planning shows a respectful design aimed at heightening the current castle buildings while adding a modern touch.
The Hoskin/Keogan/Lindsay/Event Team aim to remove the static old exhibition from the castle and create a dramatic new one with the Siege of 1691 at the heart of it.
Members of the council heard how the planners aim to create a lively, engaging, and interactive exhibition experience with the help of lighting and sounds. As part of this project the keep will be a highlight of the exhibition route and is marked as the location for an immersive audio-visual presentation of the Siege of Athlone. Also in keeping with the modernisation of the castle it is proposed to provide disabled access to all of the exhibition and education areas, something which the area is greatly lacking in at present.
In fitting with the location a gallery on Athlone and the Shannon has been suggested too. This will include presentations on the importance of the river and details of the earliest settlers to the area, and the first castle built in the town which was made of wood. The proposed plans also involve a gallery dedicated to one of Athlone’s most famous sons, Count John McCormack, incorporating a timeline of Athlone between 1884 and 1945, snapshots of Athlone since 1945, as well as details of McCormack’s life.
Mr Keogan of Hoskin/Keogan/Lindsay/Event Team stressed that there will be minimum interference with the original historical buildings on the site, however the more modern glass building near the keep will be demolished as part of the plans.
There was some concern by council members that the castle would be closed over the summer months; however all agreed that it was important to re-establish the west side of town. “It’s a very exciting project, but it’s unfortunate it will be closed this summer,” said Mayor Mark Cooney.
The plans will now go on public display in keeping with part eight of the planning process.
