Popular attraction closes for renovations

THE hugely popular Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre is to be closed until the New Year to facilitate a major programme of upgrade works.

It was decided to close the tourist attraction from November 1 to enable the works that will take place until next January after grant aid from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown’s Heritage Assets Programme and Failte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme to go ahead.

The Architect’s Department of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has designed a new look and feel for the facility which will enhance the features of the famous fortified town house.

The design includes bright, attractive entrance doors and reception desk which will offer an exciting first impression that will be enhanced as the visit continues.

The ancient internal stone work, which dates back to the 1390s, will be exposed and the features of the barrel vaulted ceiling will be highlighted with a new lighting installation and rolling DVD.

The newly designed reception desk will feature inlays of the goats synonymous with Goat Castle from the 1600s.

Martello Media, the international award-winning company based in Sandycove, will design a new interpretation system to enhance the visitor experience.

“This will introduce 21st century technology to a 14th century building,

? said manager Margaret Dunne.

“This will enhance, respect and upgrade the structure and help to sustain its viability into the future.

?

There will also be an interactive timeline from earliest settlers on Dalkey Island though early Christian, Viking, Medieval and Victorian times to the present day.

“And this will encourage the visitor to learn more about each of the fascinating elements of Irish history and in particular those elements which are unique to this area such as Dalkey Island, Dalkey Quarry, Dún Laoghaire Harbour and the much loved St Begnet’s Church and Graveyard,

? Ms Dunne added.

In The Writers Gallery the design will have an interactive

‘magic frame’ system to showcase the internationally famous writers and musicians of the area.

“The new state of the art system will beautifully complement the existing, highly successful Living History model of imparting historical information and will be available in six languages,

? Ms Dunne stated.

“We are very excited about the work starting. We are indebted to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Failte Ireland for the funding to make it happen.

?