Office of Public Works Priorities and Progress: Statements
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Gareth Scahill (FG), Nominated by the Taoiseach

I do not have time to compliment Westmeath on its win on Sunday, so I will move on quickly. I compliment the Minister of State on the Lough Funshinagh flood relief scheme, the communication around it and the recent public consultation to identify the best option for Roscommon County Council to submit with the strongest prospect of success before An Coimisiún Pleanála. I also compliment him on his engagement with the communities throughout the whole process.
However, the matter I wish to raise with the Minister of State today is Rathcroghan, Tulsk. I know from the smirk on his face that he has spoken recently to Councillor Liam Callaghan, Mr. Ger Healy and a few such people in relation to this. Rathcroghan is the ancient capital site of Connacht and a site we are very proud of. There is an unbelievable visitor experience there for anyone who finds himself or herself in west Roscommon anytime soon. Visitors can experience archaeology, mythology and history all in one place and can see the oldest and largest unexcavated royal site in Europe.
There is a parallel project, Farming Rathcroghan. It is all about the preservation of the historical sites and working with the farmers in the area. We have had a lot of success recently with the support of the Minister of State responsible for heritage, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, the Heritage Council and the National Monuments Service. However, we need additional support. If we do not receive it, the scheme, which should be the flag-bearer for the preservation of every historical site across Europe, will disappear. In five or ten years' time, we will be trying to come up with a project to preserve these sites and we will have lost the blueprint created in Rathcroghan.
If the Minister of State present, Deputy Moran, would not mind telling me in his response when I can expect to see him in Tulsk, I will happily roll out the red carpet.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19