Fantastic news earlier this week when Minister Boxer Moran TD announced at Roscommon Castle that his Department will fund access to the South West Angle Tower with stairwell over existing stone masonary and safety rail at top providing an experience of being at the top of this fine 13th Century Norman Castle and views from on high. Funding is provided for design and tender in 2019. The work when completed will improve the visitor experience and increase tourist numbers to Roscommon in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands . I have been working on the Roscommon Town Team subcommittee Town& Village renewal subcommittee that recently received the good news of funding to light up Roscommon Castle, provide Coach turning area, improvement to paths in Loughnaneane park. When Minister Moran visited Roscommon Domenican Abbey I asked if his Department could create access for wheelchair users and people using buggies etc. And he commited to replacing the existed limited access gate with an access for all gate into Roscommon Abbey. The visit finished with a stop at our incredible volunteer led Tourist Office in Roscommon Town. Deputy Naughten accompanied Minister Moran. Members of Roscommon County Council , Roscommon Town Team, County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society, Roscommon Tourist Office and executive of Roscommon County Council were present.
A series of publications have been produced by @Roscommon Roscommon County Council :
Photographs in this post of Roscommon Castle from "Exploring Roscommon Castle in Medieval Times" copyright Roscommon County Council 2010 with County Roscommon Heritage Forum.
Roscommon Castle...the history of a national landmark by Margaret Murphy and Kieran O'Conor copyright Roscommon County Council 2008 Leaflet free to download from the Heritage section of www.roscommoncoco.ie
Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon, Primary Schools Education Pack copyright Roscommon County Council 2008 Educational Pack CD 
"Roscommon Castle - A Visitor's Guide" by Margaret Murphy and Kieran O'Conor Guidebook €10

Roscommon History and Society Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish County edited by Richie Farrell, Kieran O'Conor and Mattew Potter launched by John Waters in Aras an Chontae, Roscommon County Council this evening. 

I look forward to learning more about our incredible County from the learned contributors of the thirty- five chapters examining the history and archaeology of Roscommon in Roscommon History and Society.
Thanks Richie Farrell for putting your heart and soul into this publication.
Supported by Roscommon County Council, Creative Ireland Programme and 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.

Front Cover: Water colour painting by William Percy French, On the French Park Estate 1893.

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