Doneraile Court opens to the public for the first time in 50 years.

Doneraile Court opens to the public for the first time in 50 years.

The former home of the Lord President of Munster, which was built in the 17th century, was officially opened on the 22nd June 2019 to the public for the first time in 50 years following a €1.6 million refurbishment by the Office of Public Works.

The Doneraile estate was previously in the ownership of the St Leger family from 1629 to1969 and the 400-acre walled parklands have survived to this day. The gardens are to a design inspired by the famous landscape architect Capability Brown and have been carefully restored by the OPW, building on previous works by the Irish Georgian Society.

Doneraile’s gardens welcome almost 500,000 visitors annually and the opening of the House will further boost its position as one of Ireland’s best-performing attractions as well as having a positive economic impact for Doneraile, Mallow and the entire North Cork region.

To mark the event, Cork County Council was hosting a street party in Doneraile over the weekend, featuring family-friendly attractions and entertainment.

Access to Doneraile Court is by guided tour only. Tours are available every day from 10:00 to 18:00 with the last entry at 17:00.

More information on http://doneraileestate.ie/.