By Dionne Meehan

A DONEGAL County Councillor has warned that Glenveagh Castle could face permanent closure if the government doesn’t tackle current staffing issues.

Recently, staffing shortages have forced the castle to close two days a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which oversees the castle, said the closure is due to “limited resources”.

Worried about the castle’s future, Councillor Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said he will be urging the government to provide the necessary funding to ensure proper staffing.

“As a public representative and somebody who comes from the community and uses the facilities in Gleann Bheatha on a very regular basis, I certainly will not be silent on any attempts to close this castle,” he said.

“We have to make sure this doesn’t happen.

“I will be very loud and vocal in calling for the government to invest the finances that are needed to put staff there.”

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig commended the hardworking community in Glenveagh, describing them as “passionate”, “committed” and “dedicated” to the estate.

But unfortunately, he said over many years there has been a lack of proper investment in the popular tourist attraction by the government.

“Gleann Bheatha is extremely historical,” he said.

“There are huge infrastructure works that need to be invested into the castle as a structure.

“It is really important that we maintain that.”