Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Minister for Defence Alan Shatter T.D. in the Government of Ireland immediately finalises the future status of Rockhill House, the former barracks of the Irish Defence Forces, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland. We also request that the Minister together with Donegal County Council ensure that this public property is retained, protected and developed for the benefit of the people of Ireland and those of County Donegal in particular.
Reason for petition: Rockhill House, a former army barracks, ceased to be used by the Irish Defence Forces in January 2009. The building, a period residence, which is listed in the Record of Protected Structures, has since lain vacant and is getting into a poor state of repair. Despite the Minister's statement shortly after he took office in early 2011, that the property was being transferred to the ownership of Donegal County Council and numerous statements in the same vein since, nothing has happened.
In the meantime the condition of the House, which had a €6 million refurbishment shortly before its closure, has dis-improved greatly. Its condition is now very serious with reports of dry-rot being found in the building. Thus if it is to survive, remedial works to the building must begin immediately. For that to happen its status must first be clarified, which is one of the reasons for this petition.
It is a public property owned by and for the benefit of the People of Ireland. No matter what form the future ownership may take, the benefit of the People of Ireland and future generations should be the continuing primary aim of the property, with special emphasis on the benefit to the local community of Donegal and that of Letterkenny in particular.
This petition should be of interest to:
All who wish to see a lovely period building protected,
Those from anywhere in the world with an interest in our shared built heritage
Those in Ireland who do not wish to see our wealth being squandered,
Those who wish to see a project in situ in Rockhill House that will benefit all of Ireland but especially help in the development of Letterkenny.
See www.donegalpeople.com, which includes a link to a short video on Rockhill House, for further information.
Sponsor: Adrian Gallagher:
I have been involved in campaigning for the protection and proper development of Rockhill House since October 2009, when I commissioned an initial study to examine the potential of the property (a study I also presented to Donegal County Council officials to help them in their examination of Rockhill House's situation).
This has involved in meeting and writing to government ministers including An Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), department officials, county councillors, county officials, tourism, development and property experts. The work continues!
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Updates
December 4, 2013
im still pushing for answers on why the house is just sitting there rotting away after all that money was spent on it. it feels like nobody wants to take responsibility for the decay but you guys sticking with this is keeping the pressure on the people who actually have the keys.
December 4, 2013
im honestly blown away by the momentum we are seeing right now. it feels like people are finally starting to pay real attention to the state of rockhill house and its great to see so many of you backing this cause.
19 Comments
Rockhill House has fond memories for me. I worked in Rockhill throughout my working life. The day I marched out of the barracks for the last time I knew the house would not be respected or maintained into the future. The same situation was seen at Dunree Fort when it was sold for next to nothing. I am delighted that there is now such an initiative to save Rockhill and to use it for something worthwhile. Well done and you have my total support.
It would be a shame if Alan Shatter TD was to be seen as the person responsible for the dilapidation of Rockhill House through ignoring his responsibility and not transferring it to Donegal County Council at the earliest possible time.
Historic building with so much history why let it go to waste
Why spend millions refurbishing then close Rockhill. Keep it open and keep employment in Letterkenny
very short sighted to let this wonderful house go into disrepair, do something NOW!!!!
Go for it Adrian. Hope it happens
Please find a way to preserve this!
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Minister for Defence Alan Shatter T.D. in the Government of Ireland immediately finalises the future status of Rockhill House, the former barracks of the Irish Defence Forces, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland. We also request that the Minister together with Donegal County Council ensure that this public property is retained, protected and developed for the benefit of the people of Ireland and those of County Donegal in particular.
Reason for petition: Rockhill House, a former army barracks, ceased to be used by the Irish Defence Forces in January 2009. The building, a period residence, which is listed in the Record of Protected Structures, has since lain vacant and is getting into a poor state of repair. Despite the Minister's statement shortly after he took office in early 2011, that the property was being transferred to the ownership of Donegal County Council and numerous statements in the same vein since, nothing has happened.
In the meantime the condition of the House, which had a €6 million refurbishment shortly before its closure, has dis-improved greatly. Its condition is now very serious with reports of dry-rot being found in the building. Thus if it is to survive, remedial works to the building must begin immediately. For that to happen its status must first be clarified, which is one of the reasons for this petition.
It is a public property owned by and for the benefit of the People of Ireland. No matter what form the future ownership may take, the benefit of the People of Ireland and future generations should be the continuing primary aim of the property, with special emphasis on the benefit to the local community of Donegal and that of Letterkenny in particular.
This petition should be of interest to:
All who wish to see a lovely period building protected,
Those from anywhere in the world with an interest in our shared built heritage
Those in Ireland who do not wish to see our wealth being squandered,
Those who wish to see a project in situ in Rockhill House that will benefit all of Ireland but especially help in the development of Letterkenny.
See www.donegalpeople.com, which includes a link to a short video on Rockhill House, for further information.
Sponsor: Adrian Gallagher:
I have been involved in campaigning for the protection and proper development of Rockhill House since October 2009, when I commissioned an initial study to examine the potential of the property (a study I also presented to Donegal County Council officials to help them in their examination of Rockhill House's situation).
This has involved in meeting and writing to government ministers including An Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), department officials, county councillors, county officials, tourism, development and property experts. The work continues!
Updates
December 4, 2013
im still pushing for answers on why the house is just sitting there rotting away after all that money was spent on it. it feels like nobody wants to take responsibility for the decay but you guys sticking with this is keeping the pressure on the people who actually have the keys.
December 4, 2013
im honestly blown away by the momentum we are seeing right now. it feels like people are finally starting to pay real attention to the state of rockhill house and its great to see so many of you backing this cause.
19 Comments
Rockhill House is a national treasure and a potential to draw tourism to Donegal and it is a disgrace that it is being left to ruin. We must act now before the house falls into complete disrepair.
Rockhill House has fond memories for me. I worked in Rockhill throughout my working life. The day I marched out of the barracks for the last time I knew the house would not be respected or maintained into the future. The same situation was seen at Dunree Fort when it was sold for next to nothing. I am delighted that there is now such an initiative to save Rockhill and to use it for something worthwhile. Well done and you have my total support.
It would be a shame if Alan Shatter TD was to be seen as the person responsible for the dilapidation of Rockhill House through ignoring his responsibility and not transferring it to Donegal County Council at the earliest possible time.
Historic building with so much history why let it go to waste
Why spend millions refurbishing then close Rockhill. Keep it open and keep employment in Letterkenny
very short sighted to let this wonderful house go into disrepair, do something NOW!!!!
Go for it Adrian. Hope it happens
Please find a way to preserve this!
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Rockhill House is a national treasure and a potential to draw tourism to Donegal and it is a disgrace that it is being left to ruin. We must act now before the house falls into complete disrepair.