Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was delighted to be in Sligo and I enjoyed the hospitality and great welcome I got. It was a pleasure to visit Lissadell House which is owned by Mr. Edward Walsh and Ms Constance Cassidy. She could not be there that day, but he was there, along with his family, and it was great to see the major work they have carried out in the house. It is important that people are living in our historic houses because buildings are nothing without people. Deputy McLoughlin was there and saw how important it is to have a family living in such a house and what it brings to it. Renovations have been carried out and works of art have been returned. It has a close connection with Yeats. I was there to launch the Great Yeats Birthday Party which is happening on 13 June this year and is part of the Yeats 2015 commemorations.

There is also a connection to Countess Markievicz. We are coming into 2016. Women played a significant role in the Easter Rising, such as Cumman na mBán. The north west has a particular focus on the role played by women and it something we should consider in the commemorations.

All of these historic houses are very much part of our heritage and I believe we need to support them as far as we can and do whatever we can to ensure they remain an important part of our architectural heritage.