Ulster Gazette - News

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Park Life

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Palace new jewel in Armagh's tourism crown

ANOTHER jewel in Armagh's tourism crown is set to be added after a major grant was allocated for the regeneration of the Palace Demesne in the city.
The scheme is set to cost around £240,000, but the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has granted 50 per cent of that fee for the completion of the project.
It will mean enhancing individual elements within the Demesne and improving the connection with the city.
This will be wholly beneficial to realising the potential of the Franciscan Friary - established in 1181 and located just inside the entrance gates - which is the oldest in Ireland.
The upgrade will include improved access to St Brigid's Well, which is located within the adjoining Rugby Club grounds.
At a recent meeting of Armagh Council, Sinn Fein's Cathy Rafferty suggested that contact should be made with St Brigid's Camogie Club and St Brigid's High School in the city.
She also advised that Sister Nora Smith had written a book on wells and suggested she could provide useful information to officers on the best way to approach the work.
At this meeting a brief discussion took place regarding a proposed restaurant facility at the Palace Stables. But veteran Ulster Unionist Councillor Jim Speers expressed his concern at spending money on this facility when other restaurants in the city were struggling in the current economic climate.
Nonetheless, Corporate Services Director Carol Corvan advised that, during the summer months, they were often asked by visitors about the availability of a restaurant facility.
She said that if the Palace Demesne site was upgraded and improved to attract more visitors, it was felt a restaurant within the grounds would be an added advantage.
She stressed that any costs would be kept to a minimum.
Back in 2008 significant work was undertaken by conservative architects, Consarc, to prepare an application for Heritage Lottery Funding.
At that time the application was not successful, but the council continued to consider how the project could be pursued on a scaled down basis, where funding opportunities could be identified for elements of the overall scheme.
In July 2011, a council committee agreed to prioritise the upgrade of entrance pillars and gates, paths and walkways, play area, repave the Palace Stables courtyard and to seek a tenant for the restaurant to work in partnership with the council.
An opportunity for funding some of these priorities was identified by the council's tourism development officer in August and an application was submitted and subsequently accepted.
The application to the NITB was for 50 per cent funding of an overall £238,040 scheme.
It has also been approved to improve access, interpretation and enhance the product offering at the Archbishop's Chapel, which is connected to the Palace by a tunnel.
The chapel is currently closed and opened occasionally for group visits. There is, however, a demand by those visiting the site to view the chapel regularly.
At the council meeting it was mentioned that the chapel is deconsecrated and could potentially be used for events and individual tourist visits.
It was also stated that, if enhanced, it could be opened for regular hours, with bollard lighting up the entrance road.
This would therefore help make the Palace Demesne attractive to visitors staying in the area into the evening and provide a much friendlier image.
Central to the success of the project is ensuring the project links in with the other key Christian Heritage clusters and with the wider city offering.
To this end, a walking/cycling route is proposed between the Demesne and the Mall, both of which were developed by Archbishop Robinson.
This is reflected in the outlined project increase in visitor numbers. Lighting is also proposed for this route.
In order to provide an enhanced visitor experience, more seating, bins and interpretation is required.