Latest news with #ConservationManagementPlan
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Very important jewel in North Cork's crown set for continued investment
A commitment was made in recent days for the continued investment and development of Doneraile Court and Estate and in particular the re-construction of the Orangery (Conservatory) at Doneraile House. Doneraile Court and Estate came into the care of the OPW in 1994 and over the last 30 years or so, significant investment has been made in the conservation and presentation of the estate. In 2023, Doneraile attracted over half a million visitors (523,800) to the parkland with over 9,000 ticketed visitors to the house. The estate, near the North Cork village of Doneraile, is famous for its literary and historical connections. Edmund Spenser wrote the famous poem, The Faerie Queen, while living nearby. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O'Shea who raised the matter with the Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomed the commitment for continued investment and development of Doneraile Court and Estate. 'I am delighted to see plans are proceeding for Doneraile Court and Estate which is one of the tourism gems of North Cork. A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been published for Doneraile Court and Estate and this plan identifies the Conservatory (Orangery) as an important structure (built in 1825-6 and taken down in the early 1970's) as an important missing feature on the site.' Deputy O'Shea continued: 'The OPW have completed a feasibility report exploring the options for the reconstruction and potential uses for the Orangery structure to complement and enhance the current visitor experience at Doneraile. It will be fantastic to see this historical feature put back in place in Doneraile.' In recent years, the OPW has invested considerably in the restoration of Doneraile Court. In 2019, the ground floor was restored and opened to the public with the gardens opening in 2020. In 2023, the first-floor restoration was completed with the house fully opened to include improved access with a lift and a changing places facility. In 2024, works included the restoration of the gates to the Haggard and American Gardens, site access and improvement works to the Estate and new planting in the formal gardens and woodlands. ADVERTISEMENT Deputy O'Shea said the OPW is in the process of developing the Preliminary Business Case required under the Public Spending Code with a view to appointing a design team to develop a scheme to bring to planning and then follow on to construction to advance the project. 'There is huge public support out there for Doneraile Court and Estate,' said Deputy O'Shea. 'Works underway and planned for 2025 include repairs to the boundary wall, additional garden works, renewal of some of the interior exhibits and the upgrading of the public bathrooms. 'I am looking forward to seeing plans and works progress here over the year so we can make Doneraile Court and Estate more attractive that it is and to continue its popularity on the tourism stage for north Cork,' he added.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
€30k restoration of St Anne's Church doors set to begin
Work is set to get underway on an iconic feature of St Anne's Church as part of a series of measures to preserve the iconic landmark. Funding worth €30,000 from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) will be used to restore the front doors of the church, which is located in Cork City's Shandon area. The doors, which date back more than three centuries, have served as an entry point to worshippers, locals, and tourists over those years. This restoration is part of a series of works identified in the Conservation Management Plan conducted last year. Funded by the Community Monument Fund, the plan outlined key preservation and conservation measures central to the building's longevity. Reverend Meghan Farr from St Anne's Church described the importance of the work involved. 'The doors of St Anne's Shandon have stood as a symbol of welcome and openness for over three centuries. They are not just a physical gateway but a reflection of our mission to embrace all who come through them. This restoration ensures that we can continue to extend that welcome for generations to come. She thanked the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Cork City Council for their support. The restoration work follows a recent allocation of €130,000 from the Community Monument Fund also run by the department. This funding will support phase one works identified in the Conservation Management Plan, which include repairs to the timber and metal structures supporting the bells. The projects will complement urgent repairs to the clock face and mechanism with the help of a €250,000 grant awarded to Cork City Council under the Historic Structures Fund. This is part of a broader commitment to revitalising the Shandon area through strategic investment in its architectural heritage. The church will be closed for construction during certain periods, details of which will be highlighted on the church website and its social media accounts. For more information visit
