A Future for Irish Historic Houses - Irish Heritage Trust

source of local employment; in 2001-02, around thirty people were employed there in
a full-time or part-time capacity.
Major restoration work has been carried out on about two thirds of the house in the
last number of years, including the securing of the roof. This was done through a
mixture of borrowing, the sale of veneer timber from the estate woods, the sale of
house contents and archives, as well as small grants from a variety of different bodies.
Major work remains to be done:
- The long gallery wing and the old kitchens, all of which are in an
advanced state of decay, are in urgent need of restoration. The estimated
cost of this work is in the region of €1.25 million.
- The conservatory has collapsed allowing water into the back of the west
wing.
- The west wing is very badly affected by dry rot, which is spreading
quickly towards the main house.
- The outoffices are in an advanced state of disrepair.
The future of this house depends very much upon the tourist industry remaining
vibrant. It is not likely to survive from estate income.
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