New plan lodged for historic site

SOUTH Dublin County Council has lodged an application for planning permission for a new visitor centre and public garden on the Round Tower site in Clondalkin Village.

The application was lodged at the end of May and drawings are now available for view in the Civic Offices in Clondalkin Village.

As part of its

‘Villages Initiative’, South Dublin County Council proposes to develop a project to refurbish and extend houses on Millview Terrace and Tower Road into a visitor centre and public garden for the historic Round Tower on the site.

One of Ireland’s oldest and most significant round towers, it sits at the heart of the village.

The visitor centre will comprise an interactive exhibition telling the story of Irish early-monastic life in general and of the history of Clondalkin in particular.

The building will open onto a public garden recalling the monastic garden tradition and offering a tranquil setting for the Round Tower for the first time.

The centre will include a café and terrace overlooking the garden and a craft shop supplied by a local design co-operative.

It is hoped to attract local and international visitors, and enliven Clondalkin village centre, boosting its retail and service economy and jobs.

The Clondalkin Round Tower Heritage Group members said they were delighted that the plans for the visitor centre at the Round Tower had been submitted to the planning board for approval.

“This development will put Clondalkin firmly on the tourist trail for visitors and it will mark the area out as an important heritage destination,

? a spokesperson said.

“The plans include a visitor centre, monastic garden, cafe, terrace, and craft shop.

?

Sinn Féin’s Clondalkin councillor, Eoin Ã? Broin, welcomed the move, stating that the landmark was the centrepiece of the village.

“It is a historical and community resource of immense value,

? he said.

“Residents and visitors to Clondalkin have long lamented the failure to develop this site into a community orientated amenity.

“The planning application submitted by South Dublin County Council for the development of this site is a very welcome move.

?

Cllr Ã? Broin said the project was aimed at locals and visitors in equal measure.

“The proposed public garden and visitor centre are well designed and appropriate to the historic nature of the Round Tower site and in keeping with the feel of Clondalkin Village,

? he added.

“I would urge people to view the plans and if they have views to submit them to the council. This project will only succeed if the people of Clondalkin feel ownership of it.

?

Cllr Ã? Broin also paid tribute to the Round Tower Heritage Group, the Clondalkin Historical Society and other individuals who had been campaigning for the site to be developed for the good of Clondalkin.

“I truly hope that this application will be the start of a valuable improvement to our village and provide both local people and visitors with a fantastic cultural and historical resource,

? he said.