PRESS RELEASE

As part of its “Villages Initiative”, South Dublin County Council proposes to develop a project to refurbish and extend the attractive houses at 1, 2 and 3 Millview Terrace and at 15 and 16 Tower Road as a Visitor’s Centre and public garden for the historic Round Tower on the site. This is probably one of Ireland’s oldest and most significant Round Towers and sits at the heart of the village, only 12 kilometres from Dublin city centre.

The Visitor’s Centre will comprise of an interactive exhibition telling the story of Irish early-monastic life in general and of the history of Clondalkin in particular.  The building will open onto a public garden recalling the monastic garden tradition and offering a tranquil setting for the Round Tower for the first time.  The centre will include a bright café and terrace overlooking the garden and a craft shop supplied by a local design co-operative. It is hoped to attract local and international visitors, enlivening Clondalkin village centre and boosting its retail and service economy and jobs.  The public garden and café will provide an attractive amenity for residents of the village and its surroundings.  The design has been developed in partnership with local community and heritage groups. No works are proposed to the round tower itself which is owned by the State. The vision for the site can be summarised as follows:

• To create a vibrant, high quality and accessible urban quarter in the heart of Clondalkin village.

• To provide a centre for learning and appreciation of the history and culture of Clondalkin and south west county Dublin.

• To contribute to the regeneration of Clondalkin village and to boost its economy.

Part 8 Planning Consultation will commence on Tuesday 20th May 2014 with documents and drawings of the proposed project on display in County Hall, Tallaght, Civic Offices Clondalkin and in Clondalkin Library.  Drawings and images of the scheme will be available from the Architects Department of South Dublin County Council who are the designers of the project.

Read about the Round Tower Centre in the Clondalkin Echo here

For further information please  ring 01-414 9000 (Architects)

Photograph below courtesy of Paddy Barrett