Kildare fire service will have access to Castletown House in case of emergency

FEARS that the recent shenanigans at the iconic Castletown House might leave the building in jeopardy, have been put to bed by the Head of Kildare’s emergency services.

Cllr Claire O’Rourke, the newly-elected Social Democrat for Celbridge-Lexlip Municipal District had sought assurances on this very issue because of the factional contretemps at the gates of this 300-year old national treasure that could be limiting to access.

However, she was quickly put at ease by Alan Dunney, director of service for planning, enterprise, economic development and emergency services.

“Kildare Fire Service already has a pre-fire incident plan for the main house at Castletown, should an incident occur at that location,” he explained.

“The service has access to the grounds of Castletown via the main gates at Lime Avenue, and has possession of keys to those gates held on appliances at both Maynooth and Leixlip Fire Stations,” he said.

“A co-ordination meeting was held locally, and as a result of that, arrangements are in place with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) that should they require access to the grounds of Castletown House, that they will automatically request the assistance of the Fire Service".