Celebrations as Doneraile House reopens

Doneraile Court has opened its doors to the public for the first time in a generation following a €1.6 million restoration.

The estate was built in the 1700s by the St Leger family, who remained in residence for 13 generations until 1969.

It has been in the stewardship of the Office of Public Works (OPW) since 1994 and following the €1.6 million works, including €350,000 from the Department of Culture Heritage and Gaeltacht, the ground floor has been fully restored and the house now takes its place as one of Ireland’s most important historic properties.

The restoration works carried out under the Capital Works Project include the total refurbishment of the ground floor including the main staircase giving public access to a visitor reception and an interpretive exhibition area in the three main reception rooms of the house. As most of the original contents were removed when the house was sold in 1969, the OPW conservation team have carefully restored the house, bringing together artefacts and pieces of work that speak to the rich and long history of the house.

As part of the opening, eleven works from the Crawford Art Gallery's collection go on loan to Doneraile Court. The paintings, dating from the seventeenth to twentieth centuries, will add further context to this historic house.

Cork County Council celebrated the opening with a street party and featured family friendly attractions and fun entertainment.

With street performers in historic character and carriage rides from Lord’s Gate, a vintage merry-go-round, a pop-up market, street food, face painting, music and balloons in Fishpond Lane, there was something to keep the whole family happy.

Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, officially opened the historic house on Saturday.