Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the 100-acre site, said in mid-September that a consultation process had started over the redundancies.

The financial strain caused by the pandemic is being blamed for the job losses at the attraction, which is also the Queen’s official residence in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for Historic Royal Palaces conceded that the organisation’s finances had been hit hard by the lockdown, the prolonged closure of the castle and the significant downturn in international visitors to Northern Ireland.

‘We would not be proposing redundancies if we had not exhausted all other avenues,’ it added. ‘Since the pandemic hit, we have stopped all but essential expenditure and have made full use of the government’s Job Retention Scheme. At present, the Castle is being supported by HRP’s charitable reserves, which we expect to be exhausted at the beginning of next year. We continue to pursue all remaining avenues for additional funding and are enormously grateful for the continuing support of our members, donors and visitors.’

The consultation process should be complete by the end of October.

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At the end of May most outdoor sites in the care of the state opened for access, along with their car parks.

And from July 6, Dunluce Castle, Grey Abbey and Dundrum Castle will be added to the list of attractions open to the public.

Announcing the additions yesterday (July 1), the Department for Communities pointed out that some restrictions may still be in place at sites and advised anyone intend to visit to check at www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/historic-places for the latest information.

Communities Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín says that the Department is keen to see people enjoy the history and beauty of our heritage sites: ‘Not only is this positive for our mental health but it will also aid the local economy as we begin to emerge from the effects of Covid-19,’ she added.

Urging the public to continue to adhere to social distancing and hygiene guidelines, the Minister added:
‘At all sites, visitor numbers to sites will be controlled where necessary, card and contactless payment will be encouraged in preference to cash, and stations for hand sanitiser will be erected for the public to use.’

Under current Executive Covid-19 guidance some of DfC Historic Environment Division’s sites such as Carrickfergus Castle and Scrabo Tower will remain closed to the public.

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