Brian Hayes: Doneraile 'to rival Muckross House'

The minister responsible for the OPW Brian Hayes has said planning permission will be lodged within the next two weeks to refurbish and open the ground floor of a Georgian mansion in north Cork which is hoped will one day rival Muckross House as a tourist attraction.

The minister made the announcement as he reopened the triumphal arch — built in 1820 to commemorate the coronation of George IV — at the entrance to Doneraile Park, and he later toured the adjoining stately home which once belonged to the St Leger family.

The OPW has already pumped €500,000 into the refurbishment of walls and bridges in the adjoining hundreds of acres of parkland and is now turning its attention to the house.