Campaigners fighting to reopen Dunguaire Castle have welcomed confirmation from the Office of Public Works (OPW ) that it would maintain and manage the landmark if it comes into State ownership, but say the time has come for Government to publish a clear plan with firm timelines to end three years of closure.
The renewed campaign coincides with the launch of a new website, SaveKinvaraCastle.com, and a short promotional film aimed at highlighting the importance of one of Galway’s best-known heritage sites and building further public support for its reopening.
Dunguaire Castle, standing on the shores of Galway Bay at Kinvara, has been closed to visitors since 2023. Campaigners say the closure was not caused by structural concerns or safety issues, but by an unresolved funding dispute surrounding its proposed transfer from the Shannon Airport Group to Galway County Council.
In correspondence dated 21 July, the OPW confirmed that it is “actively engaging with relevant stakeholders” regarding the future of the castle. The letter states that any acquisition remains a decision for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, but confirms that, should the State acquire the property, the OPW would assume responsibility for its conservation, maintenance and long-term management.
Pathway
Campaigners say the letter represents the strongest indication yet that a pathway exists to return the castle to public use, but insist that expressions of engagement must now be matched by action.
Eamonn Coy of Kinvara Community Council welcomed the development but warned that the community has heard promises before.
“We welcome the confirmation from the Office of Public Works and we take it as a genuine step forward,” he said. “But we have now had statement after statement about engagement and discussions involving Government departments, Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and now the OPW, while the castle remains closed. What we need now is a clear public plan with real dates and milestones.”
Often described as Ireland’s most photographed castle, Dunguaire Castle has welcomed visitors for more than half a century and is one of the best-known landmarks on the Wild Atlantic Way and at the gateway to the Burren.
The Shannon Airport Group began transferring several of its heritage attractions to local authorities in 2021 as it withdrew from tourism operations. Bunratty Castle transferred successfully to Clare County Council, while King John’s Castle passed to Limerick City and County Council. Both remain open to the public.
The proposed transfer of Dunguaire Castle, however, failed to complete. Galway County Council has repeatedly stated that it is willing to take ownership, but only with a Government commitment to provide the necessary capital funding. The council has confirmed that its applications for that funding have so far been unsuccessful.
Delays
Campaigners argue that every year of delay increases both the financial cost of reopening and the risk of permanent damage to the historic structure. They point to failing gutters, encroaching ivy and weeds, and the gradual deterioration that inevitably follows when a nationally significant heritage site is left unused.
Fran O’Reilly of the Save Kinvara Castle campaign said public frustration continues to grow.
“Hundreds of tourists still arrive every week wondering how such a beautiful and historically significant castle can be left closed and deteriorating,” she said. “The volume of emails we’ve received from around the world in just over a month shows the strength of feeling and the international interest in this place. After three years, this is no longer simply disappointing. It is an embarrassment.”
The campaign has already generated significant public support. Organisers say more than 1,500 emails have been sent to decision-makers, while the campaign’s QR code—which opens a pre-written email to Galway County Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Shannon Airport Group and local Oireachtas members—has been scanned more than 4,500 times by people in 49 countries and 322 cities worldwide. The issue has also been raised on three occasions in Dáil Éireann and discussed in the Seanad.
Campaigners hope the launch of the new website and accompanying film will maintain momentum and encourage even greater public participation. They are urging people to contact decision-makers and press for a coordinated solution that would see Dunguaire Castle reopened before a fourth tourist season is lost.
For many in Kinvara, the issue extends beyond tourism. They argue that Dunguaire Castle is a defining symbol of Galway’s heritage and identity, and that allowing one of Ireland’s most recognisable castles to remain locked and slowly deteriorate sends entirely the wrong message about the country’s commitment to protecting its historic landmarks.
With the OPW now publicly stating that it stands ready to manage the castle should the State acquire it, campaigners believe the pieces are finally in place. What they say is still missing is the political decision to make it happen.
