New trust aims to buy Athy Castle

A recent report commissioned by Historic England, the public body which promotes and protects that country’s historic environment, confirmed that the best way to boost a town’s ailing economy is to invest in its cultural past.

It found that wherever heritage and cultural history are linked to the works of new artistic communities, business growth is the result. 

In an interview with the Observer newspaper the chairman of the UK Government Culture and Heritage Capital Programme said: ‘The report demonstrates that the heritage which surrounds us has a positive significant effect on boosting local pride and it makes people feel good – 93% of people agree that local heritage raises their quality of life.’ I was struck by his words as I thought of two major elements of Athy’s built heritage. 

Woodstock Castle and the White Castle are Athy’s crowning features, with the White Castle's being to the forefront because of its prominent location in the very centre of our town.

Yet the local people and the local government agencies with responsibility for Athy have shown scant interest in the preservation, protection and future use of the castle.

There is a long and disappointing history in relation to the castle ever since it was first put up for sale by the Doyle family. 

That was approximately 35 years ago and since then the castle has appeared on the property market for sale without any serious interest in acquiring the 15th century building being displayed by the State or local government agencies.

The most disappointing aspect of this failure was the lack of appreciation of the importance of the White's Castle in terms of the town’s-built heritage, but also in terms of its links with the important historical events of the past.

The White's Castle forms an important link with our historic past. For that reason alone it deserves to remain part of our community story. However, the case for its preservation is strengthened by its unique and prominent position in the town centre.

Imagine if you will that a demolition crew started the removal of the White Castle's from Athy’s townscape.

 It’s not a thought to be considered. For yet as a community if we do not act to protect to preserve this unique feature we will eventually arrive at a situation where it will be too late to save the White's Castle.

For those interested in working to save the White's Castle, I intend to register Athy’s Civic Trust Company for the purpose of taking ownership, in time, of the town’s-built heritage on behalf of the people of Athy.

The trust would also apply for charitable status and be in a position to try and obtain state grants allocated for the protection of our built heritage. 

All of this is preliminary work without any definite knowledge if the White's Castle can be acquired or if funding from state agencies or local government agencies can be committed to the project.

The expectation is that funding will be available at some time in the future, but less certain is how and when the possibility of acquiring the castle will arise.

There is now an opportunity for the people of Athy to express their interest in maintaining the White's Castle as a unique aspect of the town’s streetscape. 

Athy’s Historical Society will call a meeting for the local Community Arts Centre within the next few weeks to which anyone interested is invited to attend.

Our community must give voice and support to the White's Castle project for if we do not future generations will question why we failed to take up the torch.

The first lecture in the Autumn series of lectures, organised by Athy Historical Society, will take place towards the end of September. Full details of the lecture series will be given next week.