Galway's historic Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara eyed for State takeover

The Government has taken its clearest step yet towards bringing Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara into State ownership, with the transfer of the historic landmark to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage now under consideration.

Published 17th Jul 2026, 17:40 BST Kinvara Heritage Group The Government has taken its clearest step yet towards bringing Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara into State ownership, with the transfer of the historic landmark to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage now under consideration. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Galway County Council has informed councillors that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, together with the Office of Public Works (OPW), is examining the proposal because of the castle's exceptional heritage value.

The update follows recent engagement between the Department, the OPW and the Shannon Airport Group and represents the clearest indication to date that the State is considering taking ownership of the landmark.

The latest development has been welcomed by the Kinvara Heritage Group, which has spearheaded a campaign to reopen the iconic tourist attraction.

Prominent group member Fran O'Reilly described the announcement as a positive step towards safeguarding the future of the castle. The reference to acquiring ownership, she said, could indicate a pathway for the State to take responsibility for the landmark.

Dunguaire Castle is currently owned by Shannon Airport Group, which announced plans in 2021 to transfer it to Galway County Council, but the proposal did not proceed.

"We've heard talk of stakeholders and key players before, but these are now named Government departments," she said.

Although ownership could pass to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the OPW would be expected to play a key role in the castle's conservation and operation.

The OPW already manages a number of Galway's best-known heritage attractions, including Portumna Castle, Athenry Castle and Aughnanure Castle.

"The OPW can only take over a building if it is in State ownership or is a national monument," explained Ms O'Reilly.

"The fact they are talking about acquiring title may be the route they are looking at. The question now is how long will that take?"

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The official statement reads: "The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is, with OPW, exploring the acquiring of title of Dunguaire Castle by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage."

Something needs to be done, and soon. The castle can't hack another winter.

For Eamonn Coy, one of the six directors of the Kinvara Community Council, the latest statement offers "some glimmer of hope".

"The prospect that the OPW would manage Dunguaire Castle, similar to Portumna and Athenry, would be the better option if that is what is open to us presently," he said.

"We are not into that level of detail. We haven't got off the starting blocks. We have had the conversations and we have always been solution-based. It would be the best outcome without a doubt.

"This has been an abject failure in every way. The idea that we would continue to neglect it is unimaginable. This likely prospect would be fantastic. It would finally give us the outcome we have so desperately been pushing for.

"This would be a breakthrough for tourism. The extra footfall coming into our village would generate a huge income. "

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Mr Coy said there was "no need for a phased approach" or any prolonged delay to reopening as, if the Government takes primary responsibility, it would not need to "reinvent the wheel".

"We all row in together for the betterment of our village," he said. "This is a win-win all the way through if we get this right."

While welcoming the announcement, both the Kinvara Heritage Group and the Kinvara Community Council remain cautious.

"We have to work together to get anything done. Forgive me if we are sceptical. We have had many false dawns that they will do something different and we won't be able to celebrate until something physically happens."

Both groups have warned that the condition of the medieval landmark continues to deteriorate.

"The castle can't hack another winter," warned Ms O'Reilly. "This is the primary reason to get some movement. The castle is deteriorating.

"Gutters are coming down and weeds are growing through the structure, causing damage to the fabric of the building. Something needs to be done, and soon.

"We will take this as progress, but we need more than explorations of ownership. We need a public plan with clear timelines and milestones."

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The announcement follows months of campaigning to reopen Dunguaire Castle, with thousands of people from Ireland and abroad urging decision-makers to work together to secure its future.

According to the Reopen Dunguaire Castle campaign, more than 1,000 emails have been sent to key decision-makers, while the campaign's QR code has been scanned more than 3,000 times across 42 countries and 243 cities worldwide.

The issue has also been raised three times in the Dáil. Ms O'Reilly said the public response to the campaign demonstrated the importance of reopening one of Galway's best-known heritage sites.

"The response from local people, visitors from across Ireland and supporters around the world has been incredible," she said.

Independent Cllr Geraldine Donohue also welcomed the update following meetings between the Department, the OPW and the Shannon Airport Group.

"I welcome the update from the recent engagement and meetings with the relevant stakeholders," she said.

"However, I would be eager to know the timelines around the delivery of this collaboration and will continue to pursue the matter."

Cllr Donohue also praised the local action group for its efforts to keep the issue on the public agenda.

For more information about the campaign visit www.ReopenDunguaireCastle.com.

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