A book of condolence has opened in the State-owned Killarney House for the last member of the McShain family, who donated the house and grounds to the people of Ireland.

It is being hailed as the jewel in the crown of Killarney, and its restoration will bring the Killarney National Park right into the heart of the town and create the biggest urban park in the world.

A mansion undergoing a €7m refurbishment is to become the main visitor and interpretive centre for Killarney National Park and South Kerry.

A NUN whose multi-millionaire parents donated historic Killarney House to the nation, has vowed not to return to Kerry until the house is restored.