The Office of Public Works (OPW) has completed the purchase of approximately 235 acres of historic estate lands at Castletown House in Celbridge, Co Kildare, reuniting the demesne under State ownership.

The acquisition, made by the Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the State, was confirmed by Minister of State Kevin "Boxer" Moran and OPW Chairman John Conlon.

The lands had long been in private hands, and the OPW's efforts to buy them previously were unsuccessful. In 2022, the State agency was outbid in a commercial best-bids process, leaving the property in private ownership.

Following that sale, access disputes emerged. Vehicular access from the M4 and to the on-site car park was blocked, leading to the closure of Castletown House to the public in September 2023. Despite talks with the new landowner, elected representatives, and local groups, a comprehensive solution could not be found until now.

The newly acquired acreage will be combined with the OPW's existing holdings, which include the internationally renowned Palladian mansion, 227 acres of woodland and designed landscape, and Donaghcumper House, farmyard and walled garden south of the River Liffey.

Minister Moran stated: "When I became Minister for the OPW in February this year I had three objectives in relation to Castletown. The first was to get the OPW staff back to their place of work, this was achieved in April of this year. The second was to re-open the House and parklands again to the public, this was achieved in July this year and the house re-opened for tours over the summer. I was also committed to resolving the vehicular access issue. I am delighted to confirm today that this third objective has now been achieved through the purchase of the lands, which includes the access from the M4 motorway. In announcing this I would like to thank the OPW staff that work at Castletown for their dedication and resilience over the last couple of years. I look forward to continuing to work with the local elected representatives, Kildare County Council and the local community in the weeks and months ahead."

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Mr. John Conlon, Chairman of the OPW said: "It has been a long-term policy objective of the OPW to reunite the historic lands at Castletown and despite previous unsuccessful attempts to purchase these lands, we have now delivered an excellent long term outcome for the State. The benefits will accrue to the local community and visitors to the area for generations to come. I look forward to the OPW re-establishing Castletown House and Estate as a premier heritage attraction to be enjoyed by the people of North Kildare, as well as national and international visitors in the years ahead."

The OPW said it will move quickly to reinstate access to the estate from the M4, with assessments in the coming weeks to determine any necessary remedial works before reopening.

Castletown House is Ireland's earliest and finest Palladian mansion and, together with its designed landscape, forms one of the country's most significant historic estates. Before the 2023 closure, the parklands attracted close to one million visitors annually.

Since 1994, when the OPW acquired the house with 13 acres, it has progressively rebuilt the demesne: 100 acres were added in 1997, the adjacent farmyard in 2001, lands at Batty Langley Lodge in 2006, and further parcels from Coillte in 2007, bringing the total to 227 acres by 2008. More than €25 million has been invested in acquisitions and a wide-ranging programme of conservation of the site's built and natural heritage.

In 2024, the OPW purchased Donaghcumper House and associated lands across the Liffey, securing key historic vistas and enabling future heritage amenities. These moves are aligned with the Liffey Valley Park Strategic Plan, aimed at safeguarding public access, biodiversity and cultural heritage across the valley.

The 235-acre purchase was completed on 19 November 2025. It includes the Barnhall Road approach, giving direct access from the M4, the route used by staff and visitors between 2007 and 2023, and the car park developed by the OPW under licence from a previous owner. The deal fulfils a long-standing policy to reunite the historic estate under State title.

The OPW began the latest acquisition effort earlier this year, preparing a revised valuation and business case, and appointing Lisney as commercial agent. Following confidential negotiations, agreement was reached at €11.25 million, with approval from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Lisney advised that in September 2025 the market value was in the region of €7.25 million to €7.50 million; the higher price reflects the strategic significance of the purchase to the State.

The State can bid above market value for strategic assets where acquisitions enhance existing holdings or protect heritage. In this instance, the lands secure a vital heritage amenity, safeguard the wider demesne, provide alternative vehicular access, and expand public access to parkland for North Kildare.

With this transaction, the State now holds around 462 acres of demesne and parklands at Castletown and 19 acres at Donaghcumper. The OPW will draw up a Conservation Management Plan and a Masterplan for Castletown House and Estate and Donaghcumper House and gardens, and will continue to engage with Kildare County Council and the local community. The immediate priority is to reopen the M4 access once any required works are completed.