Kildare County Council buys 18th century house in Celbridge

Kildare County Council has got approval from the majority of its 40 councillors to buy Donaghcumper House - a property built in Celbridge in the late 18th century - with the Office of Public Works.

A majority of councillors approved the move with 25 in favour and seven against.

This was despite some reservations expressed by some of the politicians about the need to preserve a right of way or walking route.

However Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey said the public had little confidence in the OPW because of ongoing issues with access to Castletown and Cllr Claire O’Rourke said work needed to be done to establish whether the old Dublin Road would be a walking route and if a right way would be established - a view echoed by a number of councillors.

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KCC official Eoghan Ryan, told a KCC meeting that the purchase creates an opportunity to provide a further amenity in the area which will be more accessible, like Annes Grove in County Cork, a country house and gardens.

Mr Ryan cautioned that if a right of way was established it could create 24 hour access for the public and said there had been anti social behaviour issues in Castletown.

He also said that water is leaking into the property, which is in need of maintenance.

He also pointed out that KCC does not have the resources to “take it on as a conservation project.”

Mr Ryan also suggested that an attempt to re-establish a right of way might be opposed by the OPW. KCC  chief executive Sonya Kavanagh said KCC does not have the money to protect and conserve the house without funding being redirected from other areas of spending.

She described the purchase as a “coup for KCC” and it will be a huge asset for north Kildare.

Ms Kavanagh said that in the future the property will be managed by the OPW.

She also said KCC would need to have the money spent buying the property returned to it by the OPW.