Richmond House in Fermoy is one of three properties that has been granted €2,500 by the holiday accommodation-letting site, Airbnb. The purpose of the funding, granted through the Capacity Awards, is to help support the conservation of heritage homes and sites in Ireland and comes as a result of a partnership between the San Francisco-based accommodation site and the Historic Houses of Ireland association.
The funding will support the owners of Richmond House, Fiachra Ó Cinnéide and Debbie Gaffney, to prepare their home for the tourism market. Two other winners were also awarded funding, the owners of Frybrook House in Boyle in Roscommon as well as The Gatekeeper’s Lodge at Whitewood House, Nobber, in Meath.
Bought by its current owners in 2020 after a period of vacancy, the funding for the Fermoy premises will finance specialist lime plastering and heritage sash window repairs for a two-bedroom apartment in the house, destined to provide tourism accommodation.
It is hoped that the renovations will boost business for other tourism outlets in the region and Mr Ó Cinnéide said they were delighted to have received the Airbnb capacity award ‘which has provided us with much needed funding’.
“We are passionate about breathing new life into this beautiful period property and sharing our journey with as many people as possible. We are honoured to receive this award, which will allow us to complete this first phase of our project and start us on our journey of welcoming guests to our beautiful home”.
