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PLANS TO BUILD a hotel on land near the historic Rock of Cashel in Tipperary have been criticised by archaeologists amid fears they will “destroy” important features of the wider ancient site.
An expert who has studied the site for over a decade told The Journal that a proposal to develop a 26-bedroom hotel near the old seat of the kings of Munster is “ill considered and inappropriate”.
Dr Patrick Gleeson, from the archaeological department at Queen’s University in Belfast, said it would also “fundamentally undermine” the site’s bid for coveted UNESCO World Heritage status.
Plans were lodged with Tipperary County Council by a company that operates the town’s Cashel Palace Hotel.
The application by Marymount Assets Limited, which is listed in planning files as being registered in the British Virgin Isles, includes a letter of consent from Trevester Unlimited Company, based in the Cashel Palace Hotel.
The development is proposed for Moor Lane, which links to a number of fields leading towards the famous fortification overlooking the town.
It would see the construction of 28 hotel rooms in two blocks, each of one and a half storeys, landscaping and all ancillary development works and would provide additional accommodation to support the existing 42-bedroom Cashel Palace hotel.
A similar development was withdrawn last year following a number of objections.
Tipperary County Council is taking submissions on the project up to Monday November 28th. A decision is expected on December 19th.
Included in the developer’s application is a 93-page report by a qualified archaeologist who listed mitigation works that could take place to limit the impact any construction would have on the site.
However, Dr Gleeson claimed that any works as proposed would have a negative impact on any archaeological features that survive within the area of the proposed development, and be detrimental to the landscape setting and integrity of the overall complex.
Recent years have seen the site become increasingly important to Tipperary’s tourism industry, with two separate visits by members of Britain’s royal family over the past decade.
Neil Jackman, an archaeologist based in nearby Clonmel, told The Journal the site will be “forever changed” if the hotel receives the greenlight.
“This incredibly important site, with over a thousand years of history, will be forever changed if this development goes ahead.”
Jackman added that he supportive of developing investment and tourism plans for the area but believes the project would counteract those aims.
“Of course, investment in Cashel is important and looking at ways to get sustainable tourism into the area to benefit the town itself is important. But the planned location for this development is completely inappropriate.
“It’s not about trying to stop a development from happening.”
But Jackman believes the development as planned would “probably destroy the hopes of getting World Heritage status” for the Rock of Cashel.
“With that status comes a great deal of international recognition, of additional tourism, of additional interest in Cashel itself. This would scupper it completely,” he said.
“So it has only an impact on the archaeology and that aspect of it. It also has an impact as well on tourism potential has an impact on the town’s wellbeing in terms of the visual impact will forever be changed of this really iconic place.
He added that he hopes “people put in submissions against it” before Monday’s deadline.
Cashel Palace did not respond when contacted for comment.
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I haven’t seen the plans tbf but I have no doubt it’s the same generic horrible block looking place that will end up looking like a dump. It’s the only design architects and designers seem to know these days.
@Thomas Meaney: I very much doubt it.when you look at what they done with the cashel Palace.it might look a lot better then the hay barn that’s currently there
@Pj Browne: Fair enough PJ time will tell but the CP caters for the higher end of the market so im not so sure there’s room for another higher end hotel in Cashel.
@Thomas Meaney: there is only 42 rooms currently In the cashel Palace I think the planing here is for 28 the planners will knock them back some of the rooms they will probably get 60 in the finish up and within the industry it’s said you need 60 + rooms to make it work.
Potect our heritage at all cost,especially from capitalism
aw class, more hotels to fill up with people in emergency accommodation! Government sure do know how to look after their hotelier buddies.
If these experts were around at the time the castle was proposed they would have objected saying it would spoil the scenery..
14 years studying the rock of Cashel who pays his wages
@Kipper O Keeffe: https://tippfm.com/news/rock-cashel-visitor-numbers-increase/
Probably whoever runs it.
@Kipper O Keeffe: I was thinking the same he ripped the bollix out it there for 14 years
I dunno what Dr gleeson was doing if it took 14 years to research the rock of cashel.
@Pj Browne: one rock at a time.. he is still on the rocks at the west door … there is another few centuries of work left there mate.
John magnier will get this approved no doubt. Money talks and it’s horse money so even stronger. It will be very tasty as with the original house. Go ahead john, build away.
Let destroy our heritage for a few jobs in hospitality that Irish people don’t want to work in.
Put a roof on the rock of cashel…
Turn it. Into a cheap hotel.
The ones that look like a prison.
WHO needs it
@Aidan Conway: Why would the WHO need it? They have perfectly serviceable offices in Geneva.
€8 entry fee into the Rock, they’re holding back any development for fear their gravy train is interrupted – short sighted greedy nuisances
‘The application by Marymount Assets Ltd which is listed in the planning files as being registered in the British Virgin Isles, includes a letter of consent from Trevester Unlimited Company, based in the Cashel Palace Hotel.’
Sit down and give this some thought – this isn’t about providing a service or jobs in the area or enhancing the town. This is a business opportunity to enable someone to make money.
If there is a genuine concern about the proposed building site encroaching and destroying an archaeological site or if it damages the view from any angle then it should be turned down.
A ton of land in Cashel….must be some harmless parch they can build upon?
have your say