Health and Safety
20th November 2014
I try not to use this site to express views , unless of course they are about photography. but today I hope you bear with me while I have a rant. Rockfleet Castle is, I think ,one of the little known gems of County Mayo. Up until about three years ago it was open to the public, if you arrived to find it closed there were instructions on the door to tell you where to get the key ! Inside the castle is really interesting, its a bit of a struggle to get from the ground floor to the first, needing a climb up sturdy ladder type structure . Whenever i had visitors to the county I would always have it on my list of places to visit, and of course its pretty on the outside, and a favourite location for photographers on my photography weekend courses.
About three years ago a new notice went up on the door, saying the castle was closed to the public for "Health and Safety " reasons. I would always have thought that if as an individual I decide to explore an old castle I might expect the floors might be uneven etc and would take the necessary care to look after my own Health and Safety. Can you imagine my horror this morning when thinking the castle might look good in the fog I arrived to find a new access ramp made of steel has been placed against the castle. Now to be fair, its not finished yet, and maybe it will be painted black , but what an eyesore!! Surely a wooden structure would look better against the castle.There are only four steps up to the castle door, and yes the tide can come almost right up to the door, but as I say I would expect to have to exercise some care if I wanted to venture in to the castle. I also realise that safety is important , but it seems to me that this is just health and safety gone mad! I also know that there are access issues for people who use wheelchairs, but I don't think this will help any, as as soon as you get into the castle the first thing you have to do is climb a wooden ladder
I suppose the only good thing is that maybe this indicates that it may soon be possible to re enter the castle, they might even put in a lift so that we can safely go from floor to floor!!!
About three years ago a new notice went up on the door, saying the castle was closed to the public for "Health and Safety " reasons. I would always have thought that if as an individual I decide to explore an old castle I might expect the floors might be uneven etc and would take the necessary care to look after my own Health and Safety. Can you imagine my horror this morning when thinking the castle might look good in the fog I arrived to find a new access ramp made of steel has been placed against the castle. Now to be fair, its not finished yet, and maybe it will be painted black , but what an eyesore!! Surely a wooden structure would look better against the castle.There are only four steps up to the castle door, and yes the tide can come almost right up to the door, but as I say I would expect to have to exercise some care if I wanted to venture in to the castle. I also realise that safety is important , but it seems to me that this is just health and safety gone mad! I also know that there are access issues for people who use wheelchairs, but I don't think this will help any, as as soon as you get into the castle the first thing you have to do is climb a wooden ladder
I suppose the only good thing is that maybe this indicates that it may soon be possible to re enter the castle, they might even put in a lift so that we can safely go from floor to floor!!!
Comments
By Peter: What a shame - but I'm sure it'll look fine by the time they've fitted the white UPVC windows and laid the block paved drive in front ;-))
Peter