Kildare County Council won't take over historic Hill of Allen tower

Kildare County Council won’t be taking over the historic Hill of Allen tower.

KCC’s chief executive Sonya Kavanagh said it doesn’t have the capacity to do so and added that to do so would require a comprehensive plan covering the regeneration and conservation of the site - as well as a sustainable tourism plan.

“We would need to see how much this would cost,” Ms Kavanagh said , adding that other areas of interest also need to be considered such as the Curragh plains and Dun Ailinne, an ancient site near Kilcullen.

It may not be possible to provide car parking or to facilitate regular visits to the site.

Cllr Rob Power said KCC should  work with relevant stakeholders to examine the opportunity to take ownership of the tower “recognising it as a key landmark within the county and to secure the site for future generations.”

He said the image of the Hill of Allen is synonymous with County Kildare and it’s associated with St Brigid.

He told a KCC meeting it shouldn’t be in private ownership because of its importance as a heritage site.

He said Roadstone, which operates a quarry there, has done a good job preserving the town but this also led to the erection of an unsightly fence.

Newbridge councillor Peggy O’Dwyer said the OPW should take it over because it it’s of no significance to Roadstone and she said it is not an attractive place to visit because of a lack of parking and restrictions.

Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil said to “allow half of the hill to be quarried away and to see an iconic monument damaged.”

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Cllr Noel Heavey claimed there is a preservation in force there and “quarrying will eventually make the tower untenable.”

Responding, Cllr Power said he doesn't think the tower will be damaged and he didn't believe the tower will become untenable. He said a cohesive plan will be needed to progress this.

KCC official Maura McIvor said  the council would support any efforts to protect “this significant landmark for future generations.”

But this has significant revenue and capital funding implications and these will need to be examined.

KCC will nevertheless contact  relevant stakeholders to “put together a discussion document that can be circulated to councillors”- but there was no information on when this will happen.