Putting the Cart before the Horse?

Over the last few weeks new and, it must be said, attractive tourist signage has been appearing all over Enniscorthy but sadly the product thus advertised is dubious to say the least. The signpost pictured here on Castle Street points to the Athenaeum (derelict and a very long way from reopening); Enniscorthy Castle (empty but according to the County Council it is going to re-open in Summer 2010). Other signs extol the virtues of the Slaney River View (the place with broken tables and seats featured elsewhere on this blog); the Duffry Gate (which only now exists in folklore and history books) and not forgetting Abbey Square (a busy spot for traffic, a carpark and three recycling bins - and "The Singing Bird"!) Who are they trying to kid with these signs? Another refers tourists to the National 1798 Centre (really only fit for school tours and, unbelieveably, closed at weekends!) Come on people, wake up and smell the coffee!

Enniscorthy Castle is, supposedly, going to get a €600,000 refurbishment and re-open next summer but looking at the state of it that amount of money will be lost on such a project. Apart from the removal of the exhibits and the sighting of a few officials armed with theodolites, there is little sign of activity. The building is a Norman castle and not built with the intention of displaying historic items that need a special (dry) environment. During its last refurbishment, at the outset of the 20th century, the structure was saved but some ghastly 'improvements' were made - large windows in the front gable being the worst of these. These windows are now finished in brown PVC - surely the only Norman castle ever to have such features? The question is, is a proper job to be made of the restoration or a mickey mouse one - good enough for country people - as the OPW might see it?

The plain fact is that the castle needs to be restored as a castle and the museum rehoused in another building - perhaps the nearby Castle Ballroom - also defunct? Serious time and money needs to be spent on turning back the years at Enniscorthy Castle with the 'improvements' of recent centuries removed. The end result should be a showpiece Norman castle as it would have been in its heyday.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Comments please!!