Rathfarnham Castle bid will offer a unique opportunity

SOUTH Dublin County Council is seeking expressions of interest from businesses within the hospitality, food, retail and lifestyle sectors to work with the council to create an exemplar development at Rathfarnham Castle and park.

The local authority says it will play an important role as a key tourism and local destination amenity.

The project offers a unique opportunity of working with the council on the development of the state-of-the-art, mixed-use hospitality/retail/lifestyle offering while also helping to shape the vision for the development and bringing the concept to reality, which is unique in such a setting and sector.

South Dublin County Council intends to develop two of the four stable courtyards that adjoin the castle, as a retail, food and leisure destination.

The council will design and construct a high-quality flexible building of architectural merit to an area of up to 1,400 sq. metres, complete with outdoor courtyard areas.

An extension to the current car-parking provision for visitors is also in the works.

SDCC are looking to compliment the overall heritage experience for the area with a partner business who will help progress and compliment the project with the Dodder Greenway, Rathfarnham Villlage and the park and playground.

The council is looking for a business which, through requisite experience and capacity, will bring forward an exciting and diverse retail, lifestyle and hospitality proposal at this location. The business will design, fund and deliver the fit-out of the new building and its courtyards. The completed facility will operate under a lease or license to be agreed.

Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council said: “We are looking to partner with a dynamic business, currently operating within the relevant sectors, which sees the unique opportunity to develop the offering at this high-quality location in the heart of Rathfarnham. Our partner will help refine our vision, including involvement in the design of the building and associated outdoor spaces to bring this concept to reality.”

The Castle Stables and Courtyard at Rathfarnham project is part of up to €50m of potential investment in tourism and development projects across the county until 2025 planned by SDCC.

Full details on terms and conditions are available HERE.