Ballymote Castle remains closed and is continuing to deteriorate
People wishing to visit Ballymote Castle have to write to the Office of Public Works for permission to see the historical building, as it remains closed off.
That’s according to Councillor Keith Henry.
The Ballymote Councillor has asked that Sligo County Council write to the OPW about the condition of the town’s Castle.
This is Councillor Henry’s second motion on the Castle and he informed the meeting that “Ballymote Castle has been closed to the public for a considerable period of time now.
“People wishing to gain entry must write to the OPW for permission. As a result regular maintenance on the castle grounds has not taken place and vegetation and weeds are now growing in the historic site”.
Ballymote Castle which was built around 1300 is one of the last standing Norman castles in Connacht. Councillor Henry said he “wrote to Minister Boxer Moran of the OPW to invite him to the castle with a view to getting whatever works needed done in order to re-open the castle on a regular basis. I’m still waiting on a date for the visit but I am concerned that the longer this goes on the longer the Castle is exposed to deterioration.
“The external lights also need to be repaired urgently as they are not working at present and it would add to the safety of those using the town park”.
Councillor Henry, who is a history teacher, said that “the castle offers huge potential for the town and South Sligo if it was utilised properly. We advertise it on our brochures and on Council signs but all people can see is a gate and a castle courtyard with weeds. It’s time the OPW take some action”.