Will opening the Gate become feasible reality?
I GOT the chance to climb St Laurence’s Gate recently and what a view of the town greeted me.
It is truly a stunning vista and well worth the awkward climb up steps designed for soldiers of a bygone era (when they must have been pretty small!).
Naturally, the call has been made to open up the gate for tourists for the summer and certainly the Fleadh Cheoil. On the face of it, a wonderful idea. But I quote from a question by Fergus O’Dowd to Minister Pascal Donohue recently about the prospect. He asked about the long-term plans for the historic gate and if the plan will include public access to the Gate and if risk assessments have been carried out on the effects of such access.
His response: ‘ The issue of the future of the St. Laurence’s Gate National Monument is under consideration by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Local Authority. This consideration includes the question of facilitating public access and the significant Health & Safety issues this creates are being assessed as part of the analysis. In the shorter term however, the issue of necessary structural works needs to be fully addressed before any general public entry is feasible.’
And that’s the issue.
At present, there are ropes to help access up and down the winding steps but present day health and safety would probably seek handrails, sufficient lighting, safety grills at the top of the gate, etc.
Then the issue of changes to the structure comes into play.
I hope the gate can be opened but we wait and see.