Good news for Doneraile this week with the announcement that funding of €1.6million has been allocated to the restoration project in Doneraile Court.
The estate house dates back to the late 1600s and was lived in by the Ledger family until 1969. It then came into State ownership and the majority of the interior has fallen into disrepair since the handover.
The only room which is accessible to the public is the old kitchen out of which the Doneraile Park tearooms are run.
However, this new funding means that restoration of the ground floor of the building can be completed and a much needed visitor centre can be built.
“This is a vital announcement for North Cork and the wider Cork region,” said TD Sean Sherlock. “The tender has been issued and this will allow greater public access to the ground floor and an interpretive visitor area. This is another feather in the cap for Doneraile Park as a major amenity that will benefit everyone who uses it."
Doneraile Park is already the 4th most popular free visitor attraction in Ireland and had over 480,000 visitors according to 2016 statistics.
TD Sean Sherlock assures the people of Doneraile and the surrounding areas that although he is awaiting further details from the Minister on the timescales involved in the project, this announcement keeps Doneraile on the OPW agenda.
