What next for Dromineer Castle?

The first anniversary of Storm Éowyn has prompted renewed interest in the future of Dromineer Castle.

The storm brought widespread damage and the centuries-old castle on Lough Derg did not escape. Loose stones from the upper level were knocked off and landed in the back garden of adjoining resident David Wilkinson, who fears that the southeast corner rampart has been left in a precarious situation that presents a danger to his family.

Mr Wilkinson said there is a pressing need to carry out safety work on the castle. He expressed concern over more serious damage occurring in the event of another strong storm.

But he has been frustrated over the last 12 months by a protracted process of establishing ownership of the castle. Everyone tells him that Tipperary Co Council owns the structure, but Mr Wilkinson said the council has told him that the issue of legal title remains outstanding and that no work can take place until it is resolved.

CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN

The local-driven campaign to conserve Dromineer Castle goes back many years. A report commissioned through conservation architect David Slattery in 1998 outlined a three-phase plan, costed at £280,000, which he said would have gone a long way towards restoration of the castle.

The Dromineer & District Development Association launched a campaign towards that end in 2001. The initiative, which was widely supported by local politicians, identified North Tipperary Co Council as the owner of the castle and called on the local authority to take action.

An architectural inspection of the castle ruin was instigated by the Friends of Dromineer Castle in 2013. The report, from Bluett & O’Donoghue Architects, stated that the inspection was “facilitated by North Tipperary County Council, who own Dromineer Castle”. The inspection was funded by grant assistance from Leader.

The report recommended several detailed items of work, ranging from the removal of ivy to steel-stitching cracks, consolidating and repointing loose stone, and insertion of a lightning conductor.

‘VERY URGENT’

The 2013 report concluded: “Widespread consolidation and repointing is likely to be required over much of the ruin; and particular care should be taken to identify and address gaps in the masonry as removal of invasive ivy growth takes place. Some of the works outlined in this report are very urgent and there is a risk of significant collapse if they are not addressed – these works should be prioritised in the event of limited funding or a phased approach to the site.”

Stuart Andrew of the Friends of Dromineer Castle recalled this month how members of the group cut a lot of the ivy off the castle themselves; they were advised not to go above a certain height for safety reasons. He said the Friends managed to raise a sum of money towards implementing the recommendations of the 2013 report and that money is still held in an account.

Mr Andrew said a lot of effort was made over the years between getting the castle assessed and securing funds, but that nothing has been done since due to the ownership impasse. As far as he was concerned, the council was the owner of the structure.

Mr Andrew pointed out that Dromineer Castle is an iconic feature of Lough Derg, one that attracts people to walk around the ruin and take pictures. He hoped something would be done to safeguard its future.

Asked to comment on the matter, the National Monuments Service stated that “Dromineer Castle is in the ownership of Tipperary County Council”.

Property Manager Paul Morris of the council said the castle and surrounding lands are registered to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE). However, a section of the Land Registry document states that “the Old Castle is vested in Tipperary County Council”.

Mr Morris said the council has obtained copies of the original documents lodged with Tailte Éireann, the state agency responsible for property registrations, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “These documents are currently with the council’s legal advisors for review, and we are awaiting their report on the best course of action.”

SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURE

Dromineer Castle dates from the thirteenth or fourteenth century, when it was constructed as an Anglo-Norman hall-house near to the location of an earlier Viking site. It was subsequently enlarged into a tower house and is described by Bluett O’Donoghue as “of architectural significance and archaeological significance as a good example of a tower house from the early sixteenth century”.

The tower house was built by the O’Kennedys. John Cantwell of Kilkenny was the proprietor when the castle was seized by Cromwellian forces in 1650. It is believed that the castle fell out of use at the end of that century.

In 1908, the Commissioners of Public Works described Dromineer Castle as “not a structure possessing any features, or of such historical interest as to justify it being maintained as a National Monument”, but added: “as a picturesque landmark on the Shannon, it is not desirable that it be removed”.

Mr Wilkinson agrees with the Friends of Dromineer Castle view that the castle can and should be conserved. But for now, his primary concern is safety. He mentioned that there is national funding available for safeguarding work.

Róisín O’Grady, Heritage Officer with the council, said there were no funding streams available to address the issues at Dromineer Castle in 2025. The council would apply for funds to assess the site and carry out any necessary works this year, she said.