Howth Castle is set to be transformed with a brand-new €10 million upgrade.
The planned redevelopment will include a new 150-seat glass-covered restaurant in the stable yard, a revamped cookery school, a gin-making school, along with retail units.
Amenities within the Castle grounds and historic walled gardens will include picnic and play areas, a falconry and petting farm, and a new garden centre.
Over 150 new jobs will be created when the redevelopment is completed, with 100 jobs during the construction phase.
The National Transport Museum will remain in the heart of the new development, whilst a 150-seater marquee will be located to the South of the Castle.
The joint venture has been announced by investment firm Tetrarch Capital and the Michael J Wright Hospitality Group, in a bid to make the historic site a major leisure, food, and retail destination.
The Michael J Wright Group’s founder and owner is Howth native Michael Wright who is committed to maximising the use of locally sourced specialty foods and other ingredients.
Michael is the owner of several well-known local venues including Wrights Findlater Howth, and the Bloody Stream pub.
He has recently opened the all new Foodhall at The Village in UCD.
Tetrarch also has plans to introduce 6km of internal walks and cycleways through the Estate with the aim of linking Sutton and Howth to further encourage active travel in Fingal.
Tetrarch acquired the Castle and surrounding 472 acres of land together with Ireland’s Eye from the Gaisford-St Lawrence family in 2019, making a commitment to protect and enhance the heritage and natural beauty of Howth Estate.
The proposal, if approved by Fingal County Council, will secure a programme of investment to restore the Castle’s structure and the surrounding gardens and grounds to their former glory.
Michael McElligott, Chief Executive of of Tetrarch said: "The unique history of Howth Castle is central to our ambition to create a very high-quality tourist and leisure destination for the Estate.
"Our approach will provide access to the Castle, its stableyard, walled gardens and grounds and an array of new amenities. Greenways and parklands will form an integral part of the Estate’s future, which will have sustainability and environmental best practice at its core.”
Michael Wright, Howth local and Chief Executive of the Michael J Wright Group said: “I am passionate about Howth Castle and its redevelopment.
"Our vision is to further enhance Howth as a tourism destination through the redevelopment of Howth Castle into a unique food, leisure and retail experience, whilst ensuring the setting and character of its protected structures are maintained and enhanced."
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