There seems to be agreement that Lissadell House should be acquired by the State or some combination of interests to ensure it comes into public ownership. I have not heard any objections to this. The efforts of the Gore-Booth family down the years, including the current owner, Sir Josslyn, to maintain the family home, Lissadell, is well known.
I accept that now is not the best time as far as purchasing by the State is concerned. It would have been a much simpler task in the Celtic tiger era, but we have no choice. Lissadell is on the market, and unless the Government or the county council acts now in partnership and with the agreement of the people of Sligo, the opportunity will not arise again and the Gore-Booth collection will probably be scattered.
There are excellent examples of the tourism value of large houses. The Ministers, Deputies Cullen and O'Donoghue and the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who would be directly involved in any purchase, have some very good examples in their constituencies. In Connacht, a marvellous job was done on Turlough House in Castlebar. It is now the home of the national folk collection and a wonderful tourist attraction. Countess Markievicz was the most significant woman in Irish history and she is the only Member of Parliament whose portrait hangs in this national Parliament.
Lissadell House or some of the excellent buildings on the estate would make a good centre for housing the national armada museum. This is bound to be developed at some stage following the discovery of three armada ships only a short distance along the coast from Lissadell. In recent times 47 canons were excavated on the shoreline. It is important that an archaeological survey is carried out into this as it would incorporate what would be a major attraction. It would be easy to imagine a well-designed combination of these two sites becoming a major tourist attraction, just the kind of attraction the region deserves and needs.
Lissadell House remains an excellent example of early 19th century neo-classical architecture. It embodies much history of landlordism, good and bad. It was the family home of Countess Markievicz and William Butler Yeats was a regular visitor. Was there ever a better case for the State to intervene? Many people outside Sligo do not fully recognise the attraction of W. B. Yeats to Irish people and tourists. A great untapped potential exists. Lissadell House should be preserved. W. B. Yeats was inspired to write in one of his famous poems:
The light of evening, Lissadell,
Great windows open to the South.
I am delighted to share time with Deputy Devins. I hope the Government will listen to this united front as it calls for the acquisition of this invaluable property.
