A Future for Irish Historic Houses - Irish Heritage Trust

- There is also a dry rot problem in the wood panelling.
- A section of cornice from a chimneystack had fallen through the roof,
shattering the lead valley outlet from the central valley on its way. This
later caused serious water saturation damage.
The present owners began restoration work in the mid-1980s with the help of grants
and expert advice from bodies such as the Irish Georgian Society and the Heritage
Council:
- The roof was restored.
- New floors were installed.
- The drawing-room ceiling was restored.
- Currently, work is ongoing on the plasterwork.
A great deal of work is still required. This includes restoring doors and architraves;
fitting new door locks; and installing new fire grates (which could cost up to €2,500
each.)
The owners emphasise that they have dedicated their lives to the restoration of this
house at enormous expense but that they do not have the finances necessary to
complete restoration as quickly as they would like. It would cost, for example, almost
€10,000 to paint the hall alone and at least €300,000 to complete the whole
restoration.
The owners do not benefit from tax exemptions under section 482 because the house
is not opened to the public (except on request by interested groups.) It is not practical
for the owners to do so; it is simply too small.
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