History
Newcastle West Municipal District to hold historic meeting in Desmond Hall
Newcastle West Municipal District to hold historic meeting in Desmond Hall – Built over 700 years ago the site is of immense architectural and historical value and its walls have withstood rebellion, sieges and social upheaval over the centuries.
Newcastle West Municipal District to hold historic meeting in Desmond Hall
The ‘seat of power’ in West Limerick returns to Desmond Hall for the first time in centuries as councillors from the Newcastle West area will hold their monthly municipal district meeting at the site where the Fitzgerald Earls of Desmond ruled over Munster.
Desmond Hall, the medieval castle at the heart of Newcastle West, houses one of the finest restored medieval banqueting halls in all of Ireland.
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Built over 700 years ago the site is of immense architectural and historical value and its walls have withstood rebellion, sieges and social upheaval over the centuries.
Today the Newcastle West Medieval Complex, including Desmond Hall, is the Office of Public Work’s flagship heritage site for County Limerick and is quickly becoming one of the busiest OPW managed heritage sites in the region.
As Desmond Hall is first and foremost a National Monument which is protected under legislation, Limerick City and County Council has been working with the Office of Public Works to make ensure no damage will be done to the building and surrounding area.
Members of the Municipal District asked for a monthly meeting to be held in Desmond Hall in order to help raise the profile of the major historical tourist attraction.
Cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District, Cllr John Sheahan said: “I’m delighted that we will be able to hold our monthly meeting in Desmond Hall and that I have the privilege of chairing it.”
“I would like to thank the OPW for facilitating the meeting. Desmond Hall and its surrounding complex are of immense national importance and hopefully, the upcoming meeting will shine a light on the site.”
He continued: “The recent staging of the Gok Wan fashion event in the grounds at Easter showcased the wonderful historic site in another light and highlighted the future potential of this location. There is great tourist potential in the wonderful historic Desmond Hall on the edge of The Square in our county town.”
A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works said: “The OPW is delighted to work with our counterparts in Limerick City and County Council to facilitate this event which is particularly in keeping with the historic venue where the Fitzgerald Earls of Desmond once held their own political meetings and councils when they ruled over Munster 500 years ago.”
“We have seen continued growth in visitor numbers to the current 10,000. In continuing to develop Desmond Hall/ Newcastle West complex as a heritage site the OPW is conscious of the town motto of Newcastle West ‘As Dúchas, Dóchas’ (‘From Heritage, Hope’) and we hope that as visitor numbers at the site continue to increase this will have a very positive effect on the local economy and the development of tourism in Limerick.”
The meeting of Newcastle West Municipal District in Desmond Hall takes place on Wednesday 7th June 2017 at 10 am.
To view Discover Ireland’s official profile of Desmond Hall click here
To read more stories on Limerick History click here
