Refurbished Doneraile House opens

Josepha Madigan, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has welcomed the opening of the refurbished first floor of the 17th century Doneraile Court near Mallow in North Cork. It is the first time it opens its doors to the public in over 50 years. Minister Madigan congratulated the Office of Public Works on its wonderful restoration of the house and wished every success to all involved.

"Ireland’s unique heritage is a gift to us all," the Minister said. "I encourage everyone to take time to visit this wonderful 17th century country home if you are in, or visiting, the North Cork region."

She extended the warmest of welcomes to Jill St Ledger Mulligan a direct descendant of the Lord Deputy of Munster who bought the estate in 1629.
 
Restoration works at the house and estate have been assisted with significant state funding including in excess of €500,000 from Minister Madigan’s Department.  
 
The Doneraile estate was previously in the ownership of the St Leger family from 1629 to1969 and the 400-acre walled parklands have survived to this day. The gardens are to a design inspired by the famous landscape architect Capability Brown and have been carefully restored by the OPW, building on previous works by the Irish Georgian Society. Doneraile’s gardens welcome almost 500,000 visitors annually and the opening of the House will further boost its position as one of Ireland’s best-performing attractions as well as having a positive economic impact for Doneraile, Mallow and the entire North Cork region.