OPW decides not to build temporary car park at Castletown House after meeting with local residents

The OPW had decided not to proceed with a temporary car park at Castletown House after engaging with local residents.

OPW officials met with concerned local residents on Wednesday evening in relation to the forthcoming closure of the M4 access road due to the private sale of land.

An OPW statement said: "It was agreed with the concerned locals that the OPW will not proceed with plans to install a temporary car park inside the Celbridge Gate.

"The OPW will instead operate vehicular access through the historic entrance to Castletown House at Celbridge Gate and facilitate visitor parking at the front of the house in the short term." 

 Rosemary Collier, Assistant Secretary General and Head of Heritage at the Office of Public Works said OPW officials had "very robust and positive engagement" with the community on the issue. 

She added: "We have listened carefully to their views on the historic landscape at Castletown.

"We will not proceed with our temporary car park plans. Visitors should be advised that there will be reduced car parking facilities but we will do our best to look after our local and national visitors within the area at Castletown estate, in State ownership. Castletown House and Estate will be fully operational and open to the public and the team looks forward to welcoming visitors as normal.

"The Celbridge gate entrance is the historic approach route to the House and has been in use since the eighteenth century. This is the only vehicular entrance which the State owns and as such has always been the primary entrance for the public to Castletown House and Estate." 

From this Saturday, 16 September, vehicle access will be via the Celbridge Gate and Lime Avenue. Pedestrians will be signposted to an alternative route via the Liffey Walk to Castletown House. 

The OPW urged those who can travel by public transportation or active travel to do so. Additional disability parking and bicycle parking will be located next to the House.

The OPW said it is committed to working with the community to resolve access issues at Castletown from the M4 side and confirms that it is in contact with the private landowner.