Applicants have been invited to bid on a Galway town wall restoration scheme.

The county council, along with the local heritage forum, have sought a team to oversee the West Tower of Athenry Town Wallscapital works project.

The scheme is classed as essential works for the protected structure, and requires all preparations to meet international best practice.

A conservation report and repair recommendations for the North West Tower was prepared in January 2009 and submitted to the Heritage Council.

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The tower is located within the Athenry Architectural Conservation Area, as adopted by the Athenry Local Area Plan.

"Applicants should note that a Conservation and Management Plan is in place for Athenry Town Walls and that Public Realm Plan is currently in a draft format," said a council spokesman.

The overall aim of project is make the tower safe through a programme of repair and consolidation.

"All repairs and consolidation works must respect the importance, cultural significance and the status of the tower as a National Monument and Protected Structure while at the same time reduce the risk to public safety and preserve the historic fabric from further damage. As part of this process accurate stone surveys will need to be carried out," added the official.

(PR/BMcC)