Remedial works carried out to stabilise Necarne Castle have come in under budget and have been nominated for a prestigious award. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Director of Community, Health and Leisure John Boyle provided members with an update on the works at the monthly Regeneration and Community Committee meeting.

He advised members the budget to date until the end of 2021/22 was £350,000 spread over the financial year. Of that £299,000 has been spent on studies before the work began, professional fees, natural stabilisation and vegetation control

A further budget of £140,000 within the 2022/23 financial year has been allocated for further work which will be used on further vegetation control, more stabilisation

Mr Doyle told members: “We are hoping we will be able to get match funding for some of the work and be able to lever that for additional funds for the castle itself, possibly from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we are also sourcing private sector funding.”

He pointed out the structure is listed and critical remedial work was required and an urgent notice was about to be produced to the council which would have left no choice but to carry out stabilisation repairs.

“The work has been at the highest standard and has been nominated for an award through the Chartered Institute of Surveyors. At some stage it will be brought into use, possibly not as a physical building itself but maybe as a walk-through.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Diana Armstrong commended those involved adding: “It’s significant this has come in under budget, particularly at a time when costs have been rising. The fact it has been shortlisted for an award is a measure of the standard of work. This has the potential to become a significant tourism attraction.”

Party colleague Councillor John McClaughry also welcomed the update telling members: “Anyone who regularly visits that site can see the transformation on the castle is unbelievable, especially seeing the old 17th century structure appearing from under the ivy. It’s amazing and will be a real feature for the area.”

However Independent member Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh was concerned by the costs stating: “I find it quite staggering that we are in a situation whereby the entire Necarne Estate was effectively given to a private sector developer at £20,000 for a 288 acre site, when the cost to the ratepayer remains with the council. We have now already spent £299,000 and budgeting for a further £140,000. That’s a colossal amount of money.”

He enquired if there are any indications of future costs, including stabilisation over the next 10 years.

Committee Chair Councillor Victor Warrington replied: “To make it clear, we know from the very start when Gardrum were taking over Necarne, the castle was never included in that. Directions came down to say it had to be stabilised and other works done. We don’t want to keep going round and round, which seems to be what we do.”

He told Councillor O’Cofaigh: “We all know you weren’t happy that we let this building out to a private company but the transformation has been fantastic and welcomed by everyone.”