'Strictly prohibited': Social media trend shows people trespassing historic Carlow site
Duckett’s Grove has highlighted on Facebook that there is a social media trend which involves tgrespassing the grounds
The act of trespassing a historical site in Carlow as part of a social media trend has been highlighted.
Visitors are being reminded that access to closed-off sections at Duckett’s Grove is “strictly prohibited.”
Recently, there has been an increase in content on social media showing people gaining access to restricted areas within the buildings at the Historic House and Walled Gardens.
In a post on Facebook, Duckett’s Grove urged people not to take part in this trend.
“For health and safety reasons and due to the fragile condition of the buildings’ internal structures, all visitors are reminded that unauthorised access to closed-off sections is strictly prohibited. This applies to entry for social media content, paranormal investigations or general exploration,” the post states.
It also outlined the reasons for which the restrictions are in place.
They are:
“Structural Integrity - The internal sections of the castle remain in a deteriorated condition. Recent assessments indicate ongoing risks associated with loose masonry, unstable flooring and restricted escape routes. These risks may be exacerbated at night and in low-light conditions.
Lack of Supervised Access - The castle is not staffed or monitored on a 24-hour basis. Unauthorised entry therefore presents additional logistical and emergency response challenges. Without on-site personnel to oversee activities or assist in an emergency, such access poses significant safety concerns.
Unauthorised Access and Public Safety - Entering restricted areas without prior permission is prohibited and poses significant health and safety risks. We remind visitors that the sharing of social media content depicting access to these areas does not constitute permission to enter them. All visitors are asked to respect the site’s access restrictions and refrain from attempting to enter closed-off sections of the buildings.
Public Access Policy - The current public access policy prioritises access under appropriate daytime, guided or staff-supervised conditions. Any potential future activities must be assessed in line with the site’s health and safety requirements, conservation needs and operational capacity.”