Madam, – Shannon Development and Limerick City Council seem to be rushing ahead with plans for a €5.75m redevelopment at King John’s Castle and Castle Lane, Limerick city (Home News, January 19th).
Why the haste? They say, “The project is scheduled to be completed by 2012 to coincide with the 800th birthday of the castle”.
To my knowledge this fortress was completed before 1216; so why the insistence on the 2012 birthday and what value does it serve? Shannon Development’s plans were submitted on March 16th, 2011 and already I believe that the people of Limerick are resigned to the plan being a fait accompli. Our Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar, justifiably demands value for money.
Value will come from making this national monument more attractive and accessible to locals and visitors alike.
King John’s Castle is a magnificent testament to Limerick limestone, as are the Bishops Palace, St Mary’s Cathedral, Thomond Bridge and the Treaty Stone.
Surely a practical and thus sustainable model of tourism for this Norman castle should also elevate the status of the island on which King John’s Castle is built, King’s Island?
King’s Island could once more be the golden ring upon which the jewel that is King John’s Castle sits. – Yours, etc,