If you've visited the estate recently, you may have spotted the Gate Tower wrapped in scaffolding. We're delighted to share that conservation works are now underway on this remarkable 15th-century structure.
Built around 1450, the Gate Tower once formed part of the castle's defences. Until the 18th century, a defensive wall surrounded the castle and connected to either side of the gatehouse, with the archway at its base serving as the only point of entry. When the castle underwent major structural changes in the 18th century, the tower gradually fell into disrepair, a decline hastened when its most recent roof collapsed around 30 years ago, allowing vegetation and debris to take hold.
>>View Daniel’s video update here.
Over the past few weeks, our conservation team has begun to turn that around. The early stages have focused on clearing vegetation and carefully dismantling the most vulnerable sections at the very top of the tower. The battlements, likely added a century after the tower was built, have suffered with age, so our stonemasons have been dismantling parts of the parapet, repointing, and rebuilding the coping stones to strengthen the structure.
This is painstaking, expert work. Each stone that is removed is meticulously labelled so it can be returned to its exact original position. The team brings together Heritage Contractors, engineers, a conservation architect and archaeologists, all working to preserve the tower for generations to come.
This is only the very beginning of the project, and we'll be sharing much more as it progresses. Follow the story on our social media channels and newsletter.
The works have been part-funded by the owner and by the Historic Structures Fund through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, awarded by Fingal County Council and the National Monuments Service.
Follow along for more updates as the project continues.
Posted on 27 Aug 2026.
