The future development of Nenagh Castle could be in jeopardy if the town's Urban District Council fails to accept new proposals designed to make it more accessible to the public.
The plan to integrate the 12th-century tower into the town centre was postponed when it emerged that the proposal was not acceptable because of the demolition of two buildings at Pearse Street.
The development of the castle as a significant tourist attraction in the mid-west region was included in a £100 million National Heritage Development Plan, to preserve and enhance properties and places of cultural and historic importance, which was published last year.
However, a new Duchas proposal could save the tourism project. "What is proposed by the Department is 95 per cent of what the committee wanted. They are proposing the two buildings are not knocked. Instead they will be retained and developed," said Mr Stephen Slattery, chairman of the Nenagh marketing and development committee.
"The project will and has to go ahead. We are all interested in drawing tourists into the town," he added.
Those opposed to the demolition of the buildings to create a new entrance to Nenagh Castle argue that they should not be demolished because they were home to the former national billiards and snooker champion, Jack Ayres.
Currently a renovation and refurbishment of the castle is being undertaken by Duchas to develop the tower castle into a community centre.
The castle was identified as a source of potential tourism revenue following the opening of the Nenagh bypass last July.