Reilly laments the lack of marketing of Spire of Lloyd after Traitors showcase

Kells missed out on an opportunity to highlight the Tower of Lloyd's connection to the highly successful 'The Traitors' TV series, according to local councillor, Sarah Reilly.

"I watched the show every week, waiting to see whether Lloyd would appear in that week’s challenge and I was genuinely proud when it featured as part of the final challenge,” said Reilly.

"Yet The Traitors has been and gone — and we have done nothing to promote Lloyd’s connection to it. We frequently criticise the OPW for not doing enough to open or promote the historic gems in our area, but in this instance the failure to market and showcase Lloyd rests squarely with us," she said.

Cllr Reilly made the comments at a meeting of Kells Municipal Council where she proposed that councillors receive a presentation on the Public Realm Plan for Lloyd.

She was told the Planner assigned to the project is currently on extended leave and nobody else was assigned to this project at present. The Planning Dept will aim to update members as early as practicable in the New Year.

Cllr Reilly recalled that last May councillors received a presentation on the Lloyd Amenity Plan.

"We were told we would receive a further presentation in September and that the plan would go on public display afterwards. None of that has happened. I am increasingly concerned about the delay and the clear lack of momentum behind this project.

"The response provided to my question today is not sufficient, not right, and not proper. No major public project should grind to a halt because one staff member is unavailable. Our processes should be stronger than that, and progress should not fall on the shoulders of a single individual.

“The Commons of Lloyd is a place for everyone. A place for enjoying the landscape, for commemorating the past, respecting archaeology, walking with friends, visiting with family and for taking in the view.

"While the plan did propose expanded play facilities, that ambition was not reflected in the vision. The concept of a community facility was also underrepresented. Cllr Drew called for playing pitches, which I supported. Cllr Gallagher asked for the exploration of toilet facilities, which I also supported. I asked that the possibility of a designated dog-walking area be examined.

"I now want — and expect — all of these issues and suggestions to be addressed in the next presentation, which I am formally requesting for January.

"Time is moving on, and other areas are progressing ahead of us. Public Realm Plans in Oldcastle and Athboy are advancing quickly and will soon be well positioned to apply for RRDF funding. They absolutely deserve investment — but so does Lloyd, and so does Kells.

"My focus today is on the Lloyd Plan. I haven’t touched on the Kells Public Realm Plan, which is equally, perhaps even more, important. But if the Lloyd Plan has slowed to a walk, then the Kells Public Realm Plan is still standing at the starting line — full of potential, simply waiting for the signal to move.

"I fully understand that there is significant focus at present on the variation of the County Development Plan (CDP) and the review of the CDP and I apologise if I sound like the Grinch before Christmas but my polite calls for progress are not working, and we cannot continue to let opportunities, including the momentum from The Traitors, slip through our fingers," she said.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Sean Drew said; "Our constituents are getting extremely frustrated and wondering what are we doing, why aren't we delivering these works.

Cllr Michael Gallagher said Lloyd was a fantastic facility and it was a disgrace that hasn't been developed.