Enniscorthy Castle to reopen on July 20
ENNISCORTHY Castle will reopen to the public on July 20, in line with the Government’s phased opening up of the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rory O’Connor, who runs the castle and the 1798 Centre, said everyone is working towards a July 20 reopening at present in accordance with the current guidelines.
The castle falls into Phase 4 of the reopening roadmap laid out by the Government and Mr O’Connor said that’s the timeframe being worked on at the minute.
‘July 20 is the provisional date we are looking at,’ he said. ‘We will open as soon as possible.’
There have been no formal guidelines published yet with regard to museums opening up again to the public, however, Mr O’Connor said in the case of the castle entry will be given to people on an individual basis and family blocks – while adherence to all social distancing measures will be in force.
‘We will let people in, in individual family blocks at a time and it will be similar to how supermarkets operate at the moment,’ he said.
‘We will have hand sanitisers in place and we will also have markings for social distancing on the floor as well,’ he added.
Mr O’Connor said whatever guidance is laid down by the HSE and the Government prior to reopening will be adhered to at the castle. He said the health and safety of everyone working in the castle in addition to the wellbeing of those visiting will be of paramount importance once it reopens.
While there have been no formal recommendations outlined yet with regard to large group bookings for museums Mr O’Connor expects that restrictions will apply.
‘I would imagine large group bookings will not be allowed but nothing has been said about that at the moment,’ he said.
Enniscorthy Castle was built in the 13th century and has been ‘ home’ to a wide range of people from Norman knights and English army personnel to Irish rebels, prisoners and local merchant families.
There is rare medieval wall art on display in the castle’s dungeon and the battlements on the building’s rooftop affords visitors stunning views of the Enniscorthy streetscape and nearby landmark sites like Vinegar Hill.
The history on display in the building doesn’t just relate to the castle itself as it also documents the history of the town from its earliest, Anglo-Norman origins and when it began to grow and flourish as a market town from the 1600s onwards to what it was like as a family home.
Once it reopens the time for public access will be from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the weekends.
To find out more or to make a booking contact 053 9234699.