Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
56. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the timeframe for the completion and full opening of Killarney House; her plans for 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20380/17]
View answerThe Killarney House project involves collaboration between my Department, the Office of Public Works (as project managers for the construction) and Fáilte Ireland. The Department first announced the project in 2011 with a budget of €10m (Fáilte Ireland have committed funding of €5.2 million under its Tourism Capital Investment Programme).
The National Tourism Authority’s significant financial contribution to the project is a clear statement of its confidence that this project will make a significant contribution in the future to the South West’s tourism offering. I am confident that the development will enhance the potential of Killarney House as a top class visitor and heritage tourism centre. It will do this in parallel with respecting its prime focus as a visitor centre for Killarney National Park and by developing its status as a heritage property managed by the Department.
In 2016 it was decided to pursue the opening of Killarney House and Gardens on a phased basis. 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 Park’s landscapes, habitats, flora and fauna as well as telling the story of interaction with the Park over the centuries. Some of the formal rooms are currently being restored to their former glory.
As the Deputy is aware, the original ornamental grounds and gardens immediately surrounding the House have been restored, creating spectacular landscaped areas that will merge into the natural areas of the Park and which will provide vistas linking the town to the scenery of mountain, woods and lakelands. These gardens opened in April 2016.
The completion of the Historic rooms and the Interpretative Exhibition is being prioritised in 2017. I intend to open the Historic Rooms during the summer and in this context preparatory works on the restoration and refurbishment of the furniture collection for their display, are significantly advanced. The exhibition phase of the project is advancing and I expect that the various elements of works will be completed this year. It is intended that these amenities will be open to the public as soon as it is completed.
Visitors to Killarney usually stay in the town and visit other locations and attractions within the immediate area or in the wider region. The length of stay tends to be quite short and in the case of some, bus tours may consist of just one night. Often a visit will be confined to Muckross House which focuses on cultural heritage and many tourists will leave Killarney unaware of the true extent and beauty of the National Park that surrounds them. When completed, Killarney House will showcase Killarney National Park from both a cultural and natural heritage point of view and will only serve to benefit tourists and local businesses.
