Refurbishment unveiled at Doneraile Court
Doneraile Court, an 18th century Georgian house, has doubled the size of its visitor experience offering following conservation works.
The work, recently unveiled, is part of the Office of Public Works’ (OPW) conservation management plan for Doneraile and received funding under the National Development Plan. A Changing Places facility has been incorporated into the refurbishment works which provides suitable changing facilities for individuals with disabilities and additional physical needs. A lift has also been installed which will allow all visitors access to the 1st floor and exhibition spaces.
Minister O Donovan stated: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce the provision by the OPW of these new facilities at Doneraile. Both are a positive contribution to the full inclusion, equality and rights of disabled people within our community. They also allow us to offer access to all areas within Doneraile House so that the full visitor attractions on offer can be experienced and enjoyed by all.”
Deputy Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, said: "I must commend the OPW for their continued commitment and conservation works to Doneraile House and to the rejuvenation of the overall estate, while making it one of the best visitor attractions in the region.”
Other highlights of the €2 million project include the refurbishment of the staircase hall and staircase, the opening of 9 new rooms on the first floor where an entire exhibition area has been created, new render to the east wing of the house, new staff facilities and the refurbishment of the lodge.
A Conservation Management Plan has also been launched which outlines the investment requirements to ensure the house, designed landscape, estate buildings, ecology and gardens can be protected and conserved for future generations.
On the 1st floor, a set of exhibitions has been installed: • the early settlement of the lands at Doneraile from the time the lands came into the ownership of the St Legers • the 19th and early 20th century history of the St Leger family including reference to Canon Sheehan, Lady Castletown and US Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes • reinstatement of Lady Doneraile’s apartment • an exhibition on Lost Houses of Cork • an exhibition on Bowen’s Court and Elizabeth Bowen • historical info on the conservation works carried out by the Irish Georgian Society in the 1980s.
The collections on display have been supplemented with new material including: • Wallpaper exhibition from the Skinner Wallpaper Archive • miniatures of Cork families on loan from the Irish Georgian Society, donor Edmund Corrigan • painting collection from the Crawford Art Gallery • many private loans relating to Elizabeth Bowen • sculpture collection from the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland • private loans of original furniture from the house and also a book collection.