Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has received confirmation from the Office of Public Works that it will progress to tender shortly for the new bus park at Portumna Castle.
Minister Canney said: “It is great to see progress on the bus park, which is essential to growing tourist numbers at the castle.
“Fáilte Ireland and the OPW are also engaged in finalising a business case for the recently acquired Gate Lodge so that it can be developed as the main reception for the castle.
“The business case will also include a proposal to develop the first floor of the castle itself. The plan envisages the transformation of the first floor into a multi-use entertainment space to ensure that the castle becomes an attractive venue for functions, conferences and the performing arts.
“Portumna is central to Fáile Ireland’s marketing drive for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The recently opened cafe and exhibition space at the castle, along with the Marina and the Irish Workhouse Centre greatly enhance Portumna’s attraction for tourists.
“The drive for tourism is being made right across Galway East, with projects such as the Walks and Moat around Loughrea, the new path around Knockma, the restoration of Meelick Weir, the Kinvara boardwalk between the Dunguaire Castle and the village and the Coole Park Visitor Experience.
“My own department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, has allocated grants totalling nearly half a million euro towards some of these projects in this year alone.
“We also received great support from my previous Government department, the Office of Public Works and from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.”

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
January 17 2020