Fort parking key to expansion

PARKING is key to the future of Duncannon Fort.

This is the opinion of CEO Tom Enright who said the fort cannot grow until there is sufficient parking near the star shaped fortress for tour buses and day trippers.

Cllr Martin Murphy said he received a solemn promise that the council wouldn’t allow the fort complex to collapse following its sudden closure four years ago.

Cllr Murphy said: ‘It’s too long in abayance.’

Mr Enright said archaeological research has been carried out in the grassland area at the front of the fort.

‘We are looking at putting in car parking and a stop off area and there are issues with the existing bridge into the fort for taking traffic. We will develop that in the short to medium term.’

He said the fort is open to visitors for tour guided walks in the summer time, a Hook Tourism initiative the council is supporting.

Mr Enright said: ‘It’s our intention to develop the fort as a proper tourist attraction. It’s in a very iconic location and a lot of visitors want to got there so we need to look at access for buses and cars. We are hoping to finalise the archaeological investigation into the site as soon as possible.’

Director of Services for Economic Development Tony Larkin said the council is working with Fáilte Ireland on developing a tourism strategy for the entire county. Among the tourist attractions being developed are Hook Lighthouse, a new tourist building on the quay in New Ross and a major tourism project in Enniscorthy incorporating the 1798 Centre and the Athenaeum. ‘Resources are a bit thin on the ground for the current year. We will work on the car park (in Duncannon) this year but it will be next year before the project starts.’