A public meeting was held at Donamon Castle on Monday last (October 21st) to discuss its future use, with about 150 people attending, including several local politicians.
Organised by the Divine Word Missionaries, the meeting sought input from the public after the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth proposed using the castle as a reception centre for accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants.
Currently the facility is home to approximately 26 Ukrainian refugees.
Divine Word Missionaries, custodians of the castle and grounds, emphasised that no decision would be made without hearing the community’s views first.
The Cuisle facility, based at Donamon Castle, was formerly the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) National Respite Centre. The centre was an essential facility for wheelchair users and their families, providing much-needed care and respite. Despite significant local opposition, the centre was closed in 2019.
Local politicians attending Monday night’s meeting included Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice, Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane, Senator Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fáil), and Councillor Tony Waldron (Independent).
Senator Murphy acknowledged the potential for Donamon Castle, stating: “There is huge potential in Donamon Castle and the grounds for numerous enterprises, both social and commercial”. He stressed that local residents should have the final say on any decision: “It is the local people, the people of the area, who must be listened to and who must be catered for”.
Senator Murphy also cited the experience in Ballaghaderreen, where he and Deputy Claire Kerrane opposed prefabricated housing for asylum seekers, while reiterating that there was no question of the opposition having any racist element to it. He reminded the meeting that Ballaghaderreen welcomed Syrian refugees when no other town would, but argued that the town has been utterly destroyed by bad government policy due to the failure to provide adequate services.
Taking to the floor, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice called for dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved. He called for the reformation of local activist groups that had been active in past campaigns, saying: “If you take only one action away from the night’s meeting, let it be to open a dialogue between the various stakeholders”.
In a rare moment of praise for Government initiatives, Fitzmaurice noted that while there are valid criticisms of Government policies, funding opportunities such as the Just Transition Fund are available to support community-led projects. He emphasised that having a clear vision is essential for communities to access these funds and make successful applications.
During his contribution Deputy Fitzmaurice also suggested that the facility could be used as a refuge for victims of domestic abuse, with the TD noting that no such service currently exists locally.
Speaking to the Roscommon People on Tuesday, Councillor Waldron explained that returning part of the estate back into a respite centre would cater for those let down by the closure in 2019. Councillor Waldron added: “Donamon Castle is the crown jewel of the county and the potential of the castle and grounds means Roscommon could have its own ‘Center Parcs’ some day”.
The meeting at Donamon Castle marks an important step in determining the future of this historic site, with community voices playing a central role in the decision-making process. The local politicians and residents alike stressed the need for open discussion and collaboration as plans for the castle’s future develop.
