Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, is delighted with the allocation of €1.5 million to the Swords Castle Cultural and Civic Quarter project. Deputy Farrell stated that this project will be a great boost to Swords in terms of revitalising the town, attracting more tourists to the area and providing vital social infrastructure for the greater community.
“I am delighted that the Swords Castle Cultural and Civic Quarter project is to receive a grant of €1.5 million under the EU Urban Development Fund Designated Centres Grant Scheme. With a population of roughly 40,000 people, this investment in the revitalisation of Swords, is of the utmost importance in ensuring the sustainable development of Swords as the town continues to grow.
“The Swords Castle Cultural and Civic Quarter project is planned to be delivered in three phases, and this funding will go a long way towards progressing this project and benefiting our local community. In the first phase of this project, a number of works and improvements will be carried out on Swords Castle in order to make it more accessible, both as a tourist attraction from a heritage perspective, and as a public amenity.
“The second phase of this project will focus on the redevelopment of the derelict buildings surrounding the Castle. These buildings currently prevent access and present an obstacle to the development of a heritage route along the east wall of Swords Castle, and this will be tackled as part of this project.
“As part of the final phase of the Swords Castle Cultural and Civic Quarter project, a number of public realm improvements will be undertaken in the area surrounding the Castle.
“While the total cost of the project will come to €3 million, this grant of €1.5 million will go a long way towards advancing the necessary works to revitalise the area, and regenerate the urban area of Swords. This will greatly benefit Swords, and the surrounding community in terms of promoting the sustainable development of our community as the population continues to grow. Furthermore, it will undoubtedly assist in attracting a greater number of tourists to the area, which will provide a boost to our local economy, and to small businesses in our community.
“There is no doubt that Swords Main Street requires a civic focal point. I can think of no better use of the wonderful historic core of Swords around the Castle than to provide vital social infrastructure for our county town.”