TOURISM in north county Dublin has received a major boost following the official opening of the newly redeveloped Malahide Castle & Gardens.
This
?¬10.5 million project is the largest single investment in a tourism related initiative in recent years.
Fingal County Council, the owners of Malahide Castle & Gardens, invested
?¬6.75million, and Failte Ireland grant funded
?¬3.75million towards the cost of the redevelopment, which is part of a longer term tourism strategy for Fingal.
Malahide Castle & Gardens, which has been open to the public since October, is operated by Shannon Heritage on behalf of Fingal County Council, and includes a cafe and retail area run by Avoca, with a total of 100 new jobs supported by these companies.
The redevelopment began in 2011, and was completed in Autumn 2012.
The investment programme included a new interpretive and educational centre associated with the gardens, repairs to the historic fabric and improved accessibility through the castle, a range of major improvements to the 250-acre public park and a new commercial area.
Speaking at the opening, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Cian O’Callaghan said what has been achieved is most impressive.
“A project of this scale and calibre can only be delivered with the vision, hard work and dedication of many people,
? he stated.
“I would like to thank the people and businesses of Malahide, who from the outset worked with the council in a spirit of co-operation and partnership in welcoming this project to their area.
?
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar said the redeveloped Malahide Castle and Gardens is a great asset and will play an important role in promoting Dublin and the surrounding area.
“Along with recent work at Malahide Train Station, Malahide Cricket Club and forthcoming works on the Casino House at the entrance to the village, this project will be of great benefit to the people of Malahide and Dublin as a whole,
? Minister Varadkar stated.
Fingal County Manager David O’Connor said purchasing Malahide Castle & Gardens in 1976 was an enlightened decision by what was then Dublin County Council, and secured this amenity for the citizens of Dublin.
“Fingal County Council now carries on that work, driving local enterprise and employment, and preserving and protecting this county’s heritage for future generations,
? stated Mr O’Connor.