Legal battle looming over access to Castletown House

A legal battle is looming over the rights of walkers to have 24-hour access to the state's grandest 18th century house.

Dog walkers enjoy a brisk winter stroll in the grounds of Castletown house: but fears over vandalism and health and safety could see access restricted. Picture: Feargal Ward

A legal battle is looming over the rights of walkers to have 24-hour access to the state's grandest 18th century house.

Castletown House in Cellbridge, Co Kildare is built on an estate of 120 acres and is visited by 250,000 people a year.

But the Office of Public Works (OPW) has run into fierce opposition to its plans to restrict access to the estate after daylight hours.

It is arguing that there is ...