€10m redevelopment of Howth Castle filed with Fingal County Council

Plans have been filed with Fingal County Council for the redevelopment of Howth Castle by retail estate investment company Tetrarch Capital and the Michael J Wright hospitality group.

According to a joint statement released by the firms, the plans will “restore Howth Castle to create a major leisure, food, and retail experience and to secure its future for generations to come.

“A joint planning application has been lodged with Fingal County Council for a €10m redevelopment of the Castle and its grounds, with major conservation and restoration works planned to convert the Castle into a key tourist destination.”

It is understood the Michael J Wright Group has taken a 25-year lease on the Castle and the surrounding grounds.

The redevelopment will also include a 150-seat restaurant, a revamped cookery school, a gin-making school and a range of retail stores.

Amenities within the Castle grounds and historic walled gardens will include picnic and play areas, a falconry and petting farm, and a new garden centre.

The National Transport Museum will remain in on thes ite, whilst a 150-seater marquee will be located to the south of the Castle.

Over 150 new jobs will be created when the redevelopment is completed, with 100 jobs during the construction phase.

As part of Tetrarch’s plans, six kilometres of internal walks and cycleways will be introduced on the estate with the aim of linking Sutton and Howth.

Michael McElligott, Chief Executive of of Tetrarch said: “The unique history of Howth Castle is central to our ambition to create a very high-quality tourist and leisure destination for the estate.

Our approach will provide access to the Castle, its stableyard, walled gardens and grounds and an array of new amenities.

“Greenways and parklands will form an integral part of the Estate’s future, which will have sustainability and environmental best practice at its core.”