Nenagh Castle, a cylindrical keep built by Theobald Walter around 1200, is probably the finest of its type and date in Ireland and while fragmentary, having lost much of its surrounding curtain walls, it remains the dominant landmark in Nenagh.
Built of limestone its scale is gargantuan, measuring fifty-five feet in external diameter at its base and rising to a height of one hundred feet.
The castle is located within a handsome and well-maintained public park but access and visitors and staff facilities are extremely restricted.
Following a series of feasibility studies carried out by our practise, Kelly and Cogan Architects were appointed in 2007 by the Office of Public Works to look to remedying these shortcomings.
Central to our design was the use of 35 and 36 Pearse Street, a pair of houses and outbuildings in the ownership of the OPW, which provided a potential link from the main street to the castle which would allow for controlled access and the insertion of the necessary facilities for visitors and staff.
The existing buildings of No 35 and 36 Pearse Street were proposed for use as house facilities for guides, offices, staff toilets, chair stores and a street frontage exhibition area, while a single storey ‘gateway’ structure to rear houses an exhibition area, ticket office, visitor toilets and storage.
The rear boundary is proposed as a series of pivoting timber screens thereby allowing the Visitor Centre and access to the tower to be secured at night-time while allowing the park to remain open.
Finally, a staircase and lift tower providing walkway access to the castle was proposed to the rear of the visitor Centre.
This arrangement was, in many regards, advantageous in that it ensured the castle and park had a main street presence, fully accommodated all facilities for staff and guides, allowed for a structured approach to exhibitions and enabled access to the tower for a wide range of visitors including the ambulant disabled.
It became apparent however in the course of pre-planning investigations that the following issues would prove problematical:
The provision of universal access in the original proposal via a new bridge structure and lift stair tower would intrude into archaeological remains to a greater extent than was originally anticipated (as a consequence of new information arising in respect of the original castle structure).
Following on from consultation between the OPW, the Town and County Council, it was agreed to revise the proposed development eliminating the lift, stairs, and above ground access to the tower so as to negate the issues identified and to enhance the overall visitor experience.
The main Visitor Centre facility remains located in the grounds to rear of Nos. 35 and 36 Pearse Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary as previously proposed. This will again house exhibition area, toilets, and storage.
The approach however is re-aligned so that a ticket office is provided to the rear of Visitor Centre at boundary between grounds of Nos. 35 and 36 Pearse Street and the park. This position allows for people entering grounds via Pearse Street entrance, park entrance and through an entrance from existing car park via the hall and tower structures.
The existing buildings of No 35 and 36 Pearse Street can still be used to house facilities for guides, offices, staff toilets, chair stores and a street frontage exhibition area.
| Details | |
|---|---|
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Location |
35 and 36 Pearse Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
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Date Of Construction |
c.1200 |
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Client |
The Office of Public Works |
Location: 35 and 36 Pearse Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Date Of Construction: c. 1200
Client: The Office of Public Works
