Work planned to commence on Ballymount Gate House
By Mary Dennehy
WORK on the Ballymount Gate House is planned to commence this month, South Dublin County Council has confirmed.
Located between the M50 at Kingswood/Ballymount and the Kingswood and Red Cow Luas stops, Ballymount Gate House has emerged from the overgrowth last year – much to the surprise of locals and M50 and Luas commuters.
Ivy was removed from the Gate House last year
A protected structure, Ballymount Castle is believed to have been constructed in 1622 by William Parsons.
The restoration of Ballymount gatehouse has been on the agenda of local groups and elected representatives for a number of years, with local historian Ed Mooney expressing in 2015 his sadness over the gatehouse being hidden “behind a thick blanket of bushes”.
Speaking with The Echo five years ago, Mr Mooney said: “[Ballymount Gatehouse] should be the heritage gateway to Tallaght given its prime location on both the M50 and the Luas track.
“It has the potential to be seen by thousands every day.
“Sadly it isn’t and resembles a bush instead of standing proud as a nod to its prestigious past.”
In April 2019, as reported in The Echo, the ivy was removed from Ballymount gatehouse, unveiling the protected national monument in all of its glory.
Since then, no further repair or conservation works have taken place.
At the recent Tallaght Area Committee Meeting, councillor Liam Sinclair (Green Party) asked council managers for an update on works for the Ballymount (Kingswood) Gatehouse, and when they’re expected to be started.
Replying to Cllr Sinclair, the council said: “Ballymount (Kingswood) Gate House is a Protected Structure and was identified as one of the council owned sites for priority as part of the projects under the Architectural Conservation Forum and managed by the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer.
“Capital funding was allocated to complete the necessary repair and conservation works.
“As part of the programme of works, site clearance was carried out during 2019 and dense vegetation was removed from the structure.
“A consultant Conservation Engineer was engaged in 2019 to carry out a condition assessment of the structure.
“A programme of works has been agreed with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and Conservation Contractors have been engaged.
“The work includes repair and repointing of stonework and consolidation of original built fabric, ensuring the structure is safeguarded.”
According to the council, works were due to commence on site at the end of March 2020, but due to the Covid-19 crisis and in line with government guidelines works could not start.
“Works have been rescheduled and are planned to commence in the middle of mid/end of July after induction training and a work permit has been obtained from Transdev which is required due to the location of the site adjacent to the Luas line”, the council said.
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