A Future for Irish Historic Houses - Irish Heritage Trust

In the early 1970s, it was stripped and replaced. The attic and top floor were infested
with dry rot and wet rot. This problem has largely been addressed. The east wing was
converted to provide accommodation quarters for the sisters, while the servants’
quarters in the west wing were converted to provide accommodation facilities. A
further block of fourteen bedrooms was added in 1969.
Despite this work, certain problems remain:
- The west wing of the roof continues to cause concern.
- In the 1970s, some of the original windows at the back of the house were
replaced by PVC ones. The originals windows and glass are still in the
possession of the owners who point out that they could be refitted if the
funding was available.
- More of the windows on the east wing will also have to be replaced.
- The stables and outoffices are in a state of advanced dilapidation.
When this author interviewed a representative of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, it
was pointed out to him that within the next two to three years, the owners would be
faced with the costs of major repairs including the roof. At the time they feared that
they would not be able to raise the necessary finances to enable them to carry out this
work.
Developments since then illustrate the fact that the future of a house such as Bellinter,
run by a religious order, is uncertain. On 14 June 2003, the Sisters of Sion issued a
press statement to say that ‘following prolonged reflection by the Sisters and in
consultation with the Board of Directors’, the decision had reluctantly been taken to
sell Bellinter. The reasons set out for this decision exemplify the dangers facing
institutionally-owned houses:
‘Part of this process has been the consultation with professional advisors over
the need to re-furbish and to bring the property up to the standard demanded
for its use as an Adult Education and Conference Centre. The costings of this
as well as its continued maintenance would be prohibitive. Another vital
aspect of this consultation and reflection has been the reality of diminishing
numbers of sisters able to form and continue to remain part of the community
resident in Bellinter…. It is intended that the Sisters at present living in
Bellinter, will move to smaller premises.’
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