Louth delegation discusses medieval banquet potential for Ardee Castle

The potential of Ardee Castle as a medieval banquet experience venue for tourists similar to Bunratty Castle has been discussed with Tourism Ireland in New York. Ardee Municipal District Cathaoirleach John Sheridan attended meetings with Tourism Ireland as part of the Louth County Council delegation to New York for St Patrick’s Day.

Cllr Sheridan told the Dundalk Democrat: “We met with Tourism Ireland staff in New York who work on promoting Ireland to the United States and Canadian markets. We were impressed that their presentation on Louth included Ardee Castle, the Jumping Church at Kildemock and Sea Louth, the Louth coastline food trail.

“During an extensive discussion on Ardee Castle, we informed Tourism Ireland that reviewing of tenders for the renovation is under way and hopefully construction can start later this year, subject to funding. One route discussed was the potential for Ardee Castle’s large hall to host medieval banqueting experience events for tourists.”

“This would be a very novel use of Ardee Castle. The renovation will hopefully be underway soon and there is much potential for local and civic events in the Castle. The idea of the Castle being used as an ‘banqueting experience’ would make Ardee a destination for tourists as well as bringing jobs and spending to the town.”

“The current castle dates to the 15th century and the significance that both King William and King James stayed at Ardee Castle before the Battle of the Boyne tells a cross-community peace element to the US market.”

The Fianna Fáil councillor continued: “We also discussed the importance of genealogy tourism where older people in the States are travelling with their children and grandchildren to Ireland to explore their roots and genealogy. The recent burial records project in Dowdallshill shows the importance of making these records easily available online to allow journeys in Ireland to be planned well in advance. Hopefully similar research on burial records can be rolled out to other cemeteries in the county in the future.”

The delegation separately met with Bernadette Lynch, originally from Ardee, who is Office Manager and Marketing Executive with IDA Ireland in New York and has lived there for over 30 years. Cllr Sheridan said that IDA Ireland are focused on attracting US companies to bring investment and jobs to Ireland, and the benefits of Louth to investors were highlighted by IDA staff and by the Louth County Council delegation.

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The Louth County Council delegation included Chief Executive David Conway, Director of Services Thomas McEvoy, County Cathaoirleach Kevin Callan, Ardee MD Cathaoirleach John Sheridan, Dundalk MD Cathaoirleach Seán Kelly and Deputy Mayor of Drogheda Pio Smith.