Seán Sherlock
Question:402. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of visitors at a site since it opened to the public after the pandemic (details supplied). [1108/23]
View answerWednesday, 18 January 2023
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Doneraile Estate remained open to the public during the pandemic, providing an important outdoor resource for the community. It is estimated that the estate welcomes approximately 490,000 visitors each year. In 2021, following the easing of Covid-19 Government restrictions, the house re-opened to the public. 6,520 ticketed visitors took guided tours of the ground floor of the house and the gardens.
The house was closed for tours in 2022 as the OPW continued with the next phase of planned refurbishment of the house. These works included the conservation and furnishing of the first floor of the house, the installation of a lift and changing places facility and the re-plastering of the west gable. However, 2,505 ticketed visitors availed of guided garden tours.