Thursday, 23 April 2026
Minister Calleary officially opens the restored Duncannon Fort
- €500,000 in funding to develop and restore the historic Duncannon Fort will enhance tourism in the area
- New community buildings and accessible facilities including viewing platform provided
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, today (Thursday, 23 April 2026) visited County Wexford, to officially open the refurbished and restored Duncannon Fort.
Wexford County Council received funding of €500,000 under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, to develop and restore the historic Duncannon Fort.
This project involved the renovation of three buildings which are now transformed into a reception area, community buildings and accessible toilet facilities with wheelchair ramps and galvanised railings. It also included the replacement of the bridge deck and creation of a viewing platform area equipped with accessible picnic tables. The upgraded signage, lighting and improvements to the original cobblestones make this an inviting place for the community and tourists.
Duncannon Fort is a significant heritage site of immense historical value which needed substantial upgrade works to develop its massive tourism potential. This investment sees the fort safely re-opened to visitors and allows it to be used by community groups and visitors.
Speaking at the official opening the Minister said:
“I am delighted to be in a position to mark the renewal of Duncannon Fort, a remarkable national monument in this historic site on the Hook Peninsula. Steeped in centuries of history, this fort has long stood watch over the estuary.
“The excellent work carried out here has made this important heritage site safe, creating a valuable asset for local community groups, as well as enhancing its appeal to tour groups and international visitors.
“Duncannon Fort has now been transformed into a “must visit” location in the southeast for all with an interest in military and Irish heritage.”
Preasráiteas
Déardaoin, 23 Aibreán 2026
Dúnfort athchóirithe Dhún Canann oscailte go hoifigiúil ag an Aire Calleary
- Cuirfear feabhas ar thurasóireacht sa cheantar le maoiniú €500,000 chun Dúnfort stairiúil Dhún Canann a fhorbairt agus a athchóiriú
- Foirgnimh phobail agus áiseanna inrochtana, le hardán amhairc san áireamh, curtha ar fáil
Inniu (Déardaoin, 23 Aibreán 2026) thug an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, cuairt ar Chontae Loch Garman chun Dúnfort athchóirithe Dhún Chanann a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
Fuair Comhairle Contae Loch Garman maoiniú €500,000 faoin Scéim um Athnuachan Bailte agus Sráidbhailte 2022, atá á maoiniú ag an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, chun Dúnfort stairiúil Dhún Canann a fhorbairt agus a athchóiriú.
Is é a bhí i gceist leis an tionscadal seo ná trí fhoirgneamh a athchóiriú, chun iad a athrú ina láthair fáiltithe, foirgnimh phobail, agus áiseanna leithris inrochtana, ina bhfuil rampaí do chathaoireacha rothaí agus ráillí galbhánaithe. Cuireadh deic dhroichid nua isteach in ionad na seandeice, agus cruthaíodh láthair nua d’ardán amhairc, le táblaí picnic inrochtana, mar chuid den tionscadal freisin. Is áit níos fáiltí í seo don phobal agus do thurasóirí leis an chomharthaíocht uasghrádaithe, soilsiú agus feabhsúcháin ar an chloch dhuirlinge bhunaidh.
Láthair oidhreachta shuntasach í Dúnfort Dhún Canann lena mbaineann luach ollmhór stairiúil, agus a raibh oibreacha uasghrádaithe móra de dhíth uirthi chun a hacmhainn ollmhór turasóireachta a fhorbairt. De bharr na hinfheistíochta seo, athosclaíodh an Dúnfort go sábháilte do thurasóirí agus is féidir le grúpaí pobail agus cuairteoirí úsáid a bhaint as.
Agus é ag labhairt ag an tseoladh oifigiúil, dúirt an tAire:
“Is cúis áthais dom a bheith in ann ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar athnuachan Dhúnfort Dhún Canann, ar séadchomhartha náisiúnta suntasach é ar an suíomh stairiúil seo ar Rinn Duáin. Leis na céadta bliain anuas, tá an dúnfort seo ina sheasamh mar gharda ar an inbhear.
“De bharr na sároibre a tugadh i gcrích anseo, rinneadh áit shábháilte den suíomh oidhreachta tábhachtach seo, atá anois ina acmhainn luachmhar do ghrúpaí pobail áitiúla, agus is mó an tóir a bheidh ag grúpaí turais agus cuairteoirí idirnáisiúnta air de bharr na hoibre sin.
“Tá Dúnfort Dhún Canann anois ina cheann scríbe riachtanach san oirdheisceart dóibh siúd go léir ar spéis leo oidhreacht mhíleata agus oidhreacht na hÉireann.”