Light up the Rock of Dunamase suggests Laois councillor
'If it was in Kerry they'd have a halo over it'
The Rock of Dunamase fortress ruins in Laois should be lit up at night for all to admire, a Portlaoise councillor has suggested.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan believes "we are missing a trick here" in promoting the county's most prominent tourist attraction, sited off the Portlaoise to Stradbally road.
He want the Office of Public Works to pay for the lights.
"They will benefit the aesthetics as well as safety at the Rock of Dunamase at night," Cllr Mulligan said, tabling a motion on it to the January 2025 meeting of Laois County Council.
"This is one of our main tourist attractions. The fortress is 1,100 years old, the castle is 800 years old. We should promote it as best we can by illuminating it at night.
"You see it with other historical monuments, if we could get it done it would be a huge addition to tourism in Laois. Different light displays could be done on special occasions like St Patrick's Day and the winter and summer solstices," he said.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy seconded the motion.
"It's probably one of our strongest tourist attractions. We are putting in a new carpark, maybe it could be done in conjunction with that. Residents are at their wits end, we need to have that parking in place if we are trying to encourage visitors," he said.
"If it was in Kerry they'd have a halo over it," quipped Cllr Barry Walsh.
The Director of Services Simon Walton said that the existing upgrade budget does not include the lighting.
"A separate budget would have to be provided. We'll be in close contact with the OPW and Fáilte Ireland until we have the funding under the EU Just Transition for the carpark. It's a sensitive site, with delicate archeological issues. We are meeting the OPW on Friday about the progress of the project. I can bring this to their attention and then update members," the council director said.