Construction expected to be completed this summer at 'national treasure' in Laois

The construction of the visitor carpark at the Rock of Dunamase between Portlaoise and Stradbally is expected to be completed this summer.

Construction began last year on the new visitor carpark and toilets at the historical Laois site following a large scale archaeological survey.

The project will see the creation of 40 carparking spaces, one disabled space, and two bus parking bays near the Church of Ireland chapel at the site. 

Funding of €1,797,894 was approved under the EU Just Transition Fund for Laois County Council to complete the works.

Earlier this month, Laois County Council and Fáilte Ireland announced they are seeking tenders to surface the carpark. They estimate that the "blacktop" surfacing contract could cost €100,000 alone.

In an update on the project, Laois County Council said: "Works are progressing regarding the construction of the Rock of Dunamase Car Park. To date the storm water main, attenuation and soak pit have been constructed, the majority of stone has been imported up to blacktop level.

"All kerbs are in place. Pedestrian Lane has been cleaned and stoned in preparation for blacktop. WC upgrade at church is well under way."

Photo from Laois County Council of construction works at the Rock of Dunamase. 

Speaking at the meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, February 23, Councillor Pascal McEvoy commended the work done so far.

The councillor said he expects that the new visitor carpark and toilet facilities will boost the number of tourists to the area and mark the Rock of Dunamase as a major tourist attraction.

Cllr McEvoy said: "The Rock of Dunamase is only a step away from becoming a national treasure. We better be prepared, it will bring a lot of people."

However, Cllr McEvoy reiterated the need for some traffic calming measures to be installed on the approach road from the N80 to the site. 

The Fianna Fáil councillor raised this issue a number of times in recent years as well as at the January meeting of the Graiguecullen / Portarlington MD. 

As the project nears completion, Cllr McEvoy urged that safety measures such as speed ramps must be installed on the  narrow road to facilitate the expected increased traffic.

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Residents in the area are also seeking these measures, according to Cllr McEvoy.

Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton said that traffic calming measures will be introduced on the road and some signage changes will be required. 

"There's good progress being made and we hope to have it completed by May," Walton commented. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme