Castle viewing spot set to remember Palatine family in County Limerick town

A VIEWING spot in Askeaton, which “pulls the castle into the town” is set to be named after the family who once lived on the site where it lies.
A new parklet, at the junction of West Square and Main Street, offers an unobstructed view of Askeaton Castle for the first time.
Now, ahead of its official opening, moves are being made by councillors to have it named after the Ruttle family, whose home was demolished to make way for the viewing spot.
The Ruttle family were one of many Protestant Palatine families who fled religious persecution in Germany in the early 18th century.
Many settled in west Limerick, including Askeaton.

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Former councillor Kevin Sheahan said: “They came and brought their skills which were exceptional. The men-folk were all craftsmen, and the women brought cooking skills and traditions we did not have like preserves and jams.”
For the Palatines, Limerick was meant to be a stopping point en route to America.
But many stayed, after landlords in the area gifted them areas in which to grow fruit.
“They were all highly skilled people - craftsmen, carpenters, farmers. They brought the growth of vegetables and fruits to very high standards. Something which we traditionally were not familiar with,” added Mr Sheahan.
He said the viewing spot “pulls Askeaton Castle into the town.”
Councillor Adam Teskey, whose late grandmother is a Kathleen Ruttle from Askeaton, said he will seek the naming of the facility at the next meeting of the Adare-Rathkeale district, for which he is the leader.
“I think it would be a nice gesture for them to be remembered in a fitting way. People of the community have suggested it be called Ruttle’s View. It’s a poignant moment in time. Their home has been demolished and recreated into a public landscape. We must honour past traditions and keep the heritage in mind. After all, the whole essence of this was to open up the viewing point of the castle,” he said.
“It gives a remarkable view of the castle for the public of Askeaton which would never have been envisaged only for the foresight that is there,” he added.
Fianna Fail councillor Ger Ward, who lives in Askeaton, is expected to join Cllr Teskey on a joint motion to have the viewing spot named in honour of the Ruttles.
He said: “I think it’s very important to keep local heritage and place names, especially where a family once lived. This new footprint can carry on a new role without losing its past history.”
The parklet proposal came up after the former Ruttle house was declared to be structurally unsound.
This put paid to any plans to restore the end-of-terrace property.