IT was a long time coming but Killarney House was officially opened this Monday by Minister for Arts, Heritage and Culture, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin Following an extensive €7 million redevelopment project, first sanctioned over six years ago, the restored gardens were opened to the public last year and the first of the extensively refurbished rooms, with original furniture from the time Lord Castlerosse and American business tycoon John McShain lived there.
The three principal rooms of the house, the garden room, dining room, drawing room and living room, have now all been fully restored in period style.
New exhibition rooms to act as an interpretive centre for the 25,000-acre national park will open at a later date. The house is being developed as the main visitor and interpretative centre for the national park, highlighting the beauty and interpreting the richness and significance of the habitats, flora and fauna as well as telling the story of man’s interaction with the park over the centuries.
“Work will continue on the National Park Visitor Centre at the house which, once complete, will provide an added attraction to visitors and an excellent opportunity to explain the significance and importance of the natural heritage of Killarney and Kerry,” Minister Humphreys said.
The that the Irish Museum of Modern Art and her department have agreed a partnership to showcase its collections in Killarney House.
“Today is a milestone for the town of Killarney who for so long wanted to see the house restored and utilised for the benefit of the local community and economy. This project is a great example of how investing in our natural and built heritage contributes positively to sustainable tourism,” she added
Minister of State for Tourism, Bredan Griffin, remarked: Killarney House and Gardens, located within walking distance of the town centre, provide an added attraction for visitors and a vital link between the town and the national park”.
He added: “2016 was a record year for tourism and that strong performance is continuing into 2017. A key part of the tourism success story is our policy of investing in heritage sites such as Killarney House”.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan. Click on individual images for details
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