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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1989

Vol. 392 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refurbishment of Daniel O'Connell “Coach”.

14.

asked the Taoiseach if there are any proposals for the refurbishment of the Daniel O'Connell coach; and if so, on the completion of the work, if the coach will be placed on exhibition in the National Park, Derrynane, County Kerry.

I am pleased to inform the House that it is intended that National Museum staff will refurbish the Daniel O'Connell "coach" or carriage-platform in the near future. It is planned to place the "coach" on display subsequently in a purpose built exhibition space — which, it is hoped, will be ready by next summer — at Derrynane House, County Kerry, the ancestral house of Daniel O'Connell.

I very deeply appreciate the nature of the Taoiseach's reply. This has brought to an end years of neglect of this historical coach which is of sentimental value. I can assure the Taoiseach that it will be of immense value both to tourism and the Irish people, especially the Kerry people. The condition the coach is in today is not due to the care which was afforded to it over the years but rather it is a tribute to the craftsmen and the material from which it was made

The two of us might go for a little spin in it.

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