Abstract

The preservation of cultural and national heritage is a paramount issue in the EU, often considered as vital as the protection of human rights. But the pull between local politics, state tourism, and arts agencies has produced galloping fragmentation. To focus more closely on the effect of state versus private funding in the field of preservation heritage, we consider two castles in the Republic of Ireland, County Donegal, located in the northwest. This is a historically unique arts and cultural area known as the Gaeltacht. Located 20 km outside of Letterkenny, in the Derryveagh Mountains, Glenveagh Castle enjoys state and EU funding. Doe Castle, just 60 km away near the village of Creeslough, is a privately funded cultural facility. Using data from various governmental agencies and interviews with stakeholders, this study will define and examine how Glenveagh Castle has grown, since 1981, and become very successful in large part due to the funds it has received from the state and various EU heritage funding initiatives. By contrast, it will be shown that Doe Castle, as a financial underdog, has demonstrated its grown primarily from private funds through its association with the Donegal MacSweeney Clans, this though its place in Irish history beginning in 1400 clearly outweighs the gentleman’s Victorian Glenveagh Castle. In a unique methodology, this paper will articulate how artistic and cultural issues are compared with the inevitable financial concerns of preservation and conservation of historic artifacts.