Latest news with #OPW
Agriland
9 hours ago
- Agriland
Free Admission Day to 70 Sites for National Heritage Week Opw
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced free admission to over 70 heritage sites on Saturday, August 16, to celebrate National Heritage Week 2025. This year's theme is 'Exploring Our Foundations' and invites visitors to delve into the building blocks of our heritage - not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. Speaking at the OPW launch of National Heritage Week at Portumna Castle, Minster of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said: 'We are delighted to offer free admission on the opening day of Heritage Week, on Saturday, August 16. With over 70 heritage sites on offer, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy. "The theme of Heritage Week this year is very fitting with the range of conservation projects that the OPW has undertaken in recent times." Minister Moran noted that in April, the OPW announced the "much-anticipated" reopening of Barryscourt Castle in Cork. He said: "After an extensive programme of conservation and enhancement, this historic stronghold has once again opened its doors to the public, offering a renewed visitor experience at one of Ireland's most evocative medieval sites. "We are pleased to support National Heritage Week to ensure all individuals, groups, and families enjoy what is on offer at sites across the country". Martina Moloney, chair of the Heritage Council added: 'It's wonderful to see the OPW opening the gates of its remarkable heritage sites to everyone free of charge again this year. "I would encourage everyone to seize this opportunity to explore an OPW site - whether it's a towering medieval castle, a peaceful walled garden, or a historic house that tells the story of generations. According to Moloney, "National Heritage Week is a "time to step out and discover what's on your own doorstep". "Across the country, passionate local people are bringing their heritage to life through talks, walks, exhibitions and community celebrations. "This is a chance to connect with the stories, places, and traditions that shape who we are.' In support of the 20th anniversary of National Heritage Week being run by the Heritage Council, the OPW will once again host a significant programme of events. A Family Fun Day will take place at Glendalough, which will include a tour and Lego workshop. A specially curated tour will take place at Ross Castle, Co. Kerry where visitors can learn about the building's transformation from the medieval home of the Gaelic O' Donoghue's to an English military barracks and now a significant tourist attraction. Sligo Abbey will be the setting for 'Art in the Abbey', a day of charcoal drawing suitable for all ages. The abbey will also host a number of traditional Irish music and talks throughout Heritage Week.
Agriland
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Agriland
Ragwort Growing Outside Leinster House Addressed Dafm
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that the ragwort found growing on the front lawn of Leinster House has been dealt with. Earlier this month, Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy highlighted that the noxious weed was growing outside the Irish parliament, which he described as "a shameful symbol of non-compliance". "If ragwort can flourish outside the very building where laws are made, it undermines our credibility and duty to uphold them," he said. Under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936 it is an offence for owners and occupiers of land not to prevent the spread of specified weeds. The department of agriculture is responsible for overseeing the control and the prevention of the spread of certain weeds where there is a risk to agricultural land, as determined by a risk assessment. The noxious weeds specified in the legislation includes common ragwort which has distinctive bright yellow flowers. Ragwort growing outside Leinster House Source: @carthy_aubrey "The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine liaised with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is responsible for the management of Leinster House. "The OPW has advised that the ragwort has been addressed," a DAFM spokesperson told Agriland. Following a public consultation, a new Statutory Instrument (SI) was signed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon in May 2025. This SI consolidates all secondary legislation on noxious weeds, codifies the existing species of noxious weeds with their botanical names. In addition, the measure designates blackgrass as a noxious weed and limits controls to certain species of thistle and dock. Over a ten year period to 2023, there were 198 complaints relating to noxious weeds made to DAFM and 60% of these related to agricultural land. All complaints over the 10 year period related to ragwort, thistle or dock or a combination of these.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Would you like to work on the Connemara coast where Patrick Pearse spent his summers?
How would you like to work on the rugged Connemara coast where 1916 Easter Rising leader Patrick Pearse spent his summers? Well, the Office of Public Works (OPW) is extending that opportunity to suitably qualified catering professionals, as it has put out a call for applications to run the cafe at Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh until the end of the year, with the chance to extend the contract for another two years. The government agency's request for tender invites suppliers to provide catering services, under a catering services concession, for tea rooms or a cafe. Pearse built his cottage at Ros Muc as a retreat and spent his summers there from 1903 to 1915. It is said he drew inspiration from the surrounding landscape for his poems and short stories, and operated a summer school there for his students from St Edna's, the Irish-language school Pearse founded in Dublin in 1908. READ MORE Patrick Pearse's cottage in Ros Muc. Photograph: Fáilte Ireland Bedroom at Pearse's cottage. Photograph: Kitchen at Pearse's cottage. Photograph: The whitewashed cottage has been maintained as Pearse left it in 1915, sparsely furnished with mahogany pieces, with a quintessential kitchen hearth. A short walk from the cottage is the contemporary visitor centre – home to the cafe – where the exhibition explores what drew Pearse to Connemara: from its unique landscape to its local culture and use of the Irish language. Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh visitor centre. Photograph: OPW Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh visitor centre. Photograph: OPW Cafe space at the visitor centre. Photograph: Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh is located an hour from Galway city and is on the Wild Atlantic Way. The site has increased its visitor numbers in recent years, welcoming 19,952 visitors in 2024, up from 17,399 in 2023, according to the OPW. Interested parties can find information on how to apply on the OPW website , but they will have to act fast as the closing date for applications is 12pm on Thursday, July 31st. 'We are looking to get someone in situ as soon as possible after the closing date as the cafe is currently closed. This is a busy time for the centre, with bus and cycling tours along with passing tourists and local regulars,' a spokeswoman for the OPW said.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
OPW spent €17,000 on consultants for committee hearings, more than any other State body
The Office of Public Works ( OPW ) spent more on external consultant advice preparing for Oireachtas committee hearings last year than any other State body or government department has since 2021, according to new data. The total spend of €17,211 came as the OPW faced rolling controversies over the €336,000 Dáil bike shed, the €1.4 million security hut at the Department of Finance and a €490,000 bill for rebuilding a wall outside the Workplace Relations Commission . Figures released to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly show that in total, public bodies spent €155,532 to outside firms helping to prepare them for visits to Oireachtas committees between 2021 and earlier this month – with a handful of consultancies getting the lion's share of the spending. The OPW outlay was the highest single-year spend by any body covered by the data released. It was split between two communications specialist firms – €3,731 for RGH Consultancy and €13,480 for Gibney Communications. RGH Consultancy is led by Gerard Howlin, who is an Irish Times contributor. READ MORE Mr Farrelly said he was not surprised to see the OPW top of the list given the controversies it has faced. He criticised the use of outside consultants, saying: 'The witnesses are all seasoned officials and should be well able to respond openly to elected representatives without third-party interventions.' The OPW faced four committee hearings in 2024 – three of which occurred after the cost of the bike shed emerged in September. The OPW said in a statement that it has a wide remit and an annual budget of €700 million, dealing with a large volume of projects across flood-relief management, heritage and managing 2,500 State properties. It said staff appearing at committees 'are expected to succinctly address a wide range of topics, including all information relating to the OPW's expenditure, as well as detailed accounts of the significant variety of projects under its remit'. The OPW said the spend was on 'communication support' for staff appearing before committees rather than assisting with further queries or correspondence. The next highest annual cost for external advice was for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), which purchased general training from PR firm The Communications Clinic to the value of €16,950 in 2022 – although this covered training for officials from other departments as well. The OPW also had some of the highest bills in previous years, including another €9,610 to Gibney Communications and €610 to RGH Consultancy in 2022 – again for general training. Overall, it spent €28,489 on external consultants, making it one of the highest-spending bodies overall, as well as having the single most expensive year. DPER had the highest overall spending across the period covered by the data, spending €31,220 in total – although again, some of that picked up the tab for civil servants in other departments. Horse Racing Ireland spent €12,950 for advice in advance of visits to the Public Accounts Committee and agriculture committees, with consultancy firms Teneo and Vulcan Consulting, led by former minister for European affairs Lucinda Creighton , providing services. Pobal , the social inclusion agency, spent €12,764 preparing to face TDs and senators, all to Dublin firm MKC Communications across 2021-2024. Pobal said the work related to four committee appearances covering training for nine senior managers and strategic preparation for the hearings. Meanwhile, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman spent €10,612 preparing for various committees in 2023 and 2024. The data show that two firms accounted for the majority of the spend by state bodies preparing to visit Leinster House committee rooms: Gibney Communications, which was paid a total of €46,902 across the period concerned, and The Communications Clinic, which was paid €51,254.
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
The bizarre reason why restoration of Rathfarnham Castle has taken 30yrs
Restoration works at one of the country's oldest examples of Elizabethan-era grandeur will take another two years at least – because the weather hasn't been right. In a statement read into the Dáil record, the Office of Public Works (OPW) said it anticipates that it will now complete the restoration of the facade of Dublin's Rathfarnham Castle in 2027. The OPW had been under fire recently for its costly and delayed projects including at the Workplace Relations Commission in Ballsbridge, Dublin, which resulted in a 70 metre stretch of low wall outside the building costing €490,000 to complete. The beleaguered agency, which also oversaw the building of the now infamous €336,000 Dáil bike shed, has been engaged in a restoration project at Rathfarnham Castle for three decades. This month the OPW admitted that the promised completion of render to the front of Rathfarnham Castle which had been promised by this summer, will now take at least another two years. Rathfarnham Castle. Pic: Sean Dwyer The issue was raised by the Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart who asked OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran why, having been told in 2024 that the job of restoring the frontage of the castle would be finished in 2025, the OPW was now saying the job wouldn't be completed until 2027. The minister replied the exterior of the castle is showing signs of wear and tear and needs to be finished with a substance called lime harling, to be restored to its former glory. However, Mr Moran said he had been advised by the OPW that the 'problem with lime harling is that there is a short seasonal window, along with weather conditions, in which the lime harling finish can be applied and these works are not expected to take place until 2027'. Mr Lahart asked why 2027 was the new date, given that in 2024 he had been told 'a weather window would be required to carry out the works and the works would be carried out in 2025'. The beleaguered agency, which also oversaw the building of the now infamous €336,000 Dáil bike shed, has been engaged in a restoration project at Rathfarnham Castle for three decades. He said: 'The warm weather window has well and truly been with us for the past four or five months. Now, the Minister of State is saying the works will be carried out in 2027. What has changed?' In reply the minister said: 'To be honest, I can't say.' Mr Moran noted that funds have been allocated to undertake this project, with a senior architect assigned to oversee the design and completion. The minister also assured the Fianna Fáil TD that he would not let the matter rest, saying 'I will pursue it because I fell in love with the castle when I went there. It is a fabulous facility.' Rathfarnham Castle was built in 1583 and has been owned by Archbishop Adam Loftus, the founder of Trinity College, 18th century politician Speaker Conolly, and the Jesuit Order. The castle is one of Elizabethan houses. It was declared a national monument and purchased by the State from the Jesuits in 1987. Responding to this latest delay, Mr Lahart told this week: 'The OPW appear to exist in a different time zone to the ordinary citizen, where one year in citizen time is three years in OPW time. Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart. Pic: RTÉ One 'The castle is a critical social and cultural asset and yet the driest summer on record does not apparently provide them with the three decades-long job. Apparently, even climate change cannot speed up the OPW.' Elsewhere, the OPW is also embroiled in a row with locals in Co. Kildare over Castletown House. Last year, it proposed a new entrance and car park to the popular estate near the village of Celbridge but locals objected. In response, some locals have been maintaining a protest at the entrance to the Castletown estate for 11 months. The site has been open to the public for the past three decades but over the past year the row has bitterly divided the Co. Kildare town.
