Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than coming back into this House to respond on a Kerry matter dear to the heart of my good friend and former colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan. I am sure the Senator will be familiar with the following lines.

Beauty wanders everywhere, footprints leaves on many strands but her home is surely there. Angels fold their wings and rest in that Eden of the west. Beauty's home, Killarney. Heaven's reflex, Killarney.

The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, one of the Departments to which I am assigned, is making its home there.

I thank Senator Coghlan for giving me the opportunity to discuss this important issue in the House. The original Killarney House was located at Knockreer but was destroyed by fire in 1913. The current Killarney House, which dates from 1915 approximately, was previously part of the stable wing of a much larger mansion, built around 1720. In 1881 the Kenmare family moved from this 1720 mansion to a newly built Victorian mansion on a site at Knockreer and the 1720 mansion was demolished, although the stable wing was left intact. The Victorian mansion at Knockreer was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1913 and it was decided to convert the stable wing of the 1720 mansion for residential use, possibly under the direction of Sir Edwin Lutyens and this is the property now known today as Killarney House, which measures approximately 1,254 sq. m. in floor area.

The current Killarney House was the seat of the Kenmare family until 1956, when Mrs. Beatrice Grosvenor, the niece of the seventh and last Earl of Kenmare, who died in 1952, sold the house and much of Kenmare estate, to an American syndicate, which in turn sold the property to an Irish-American philanthropist, Mr. John McShain. In 1978 Mr. McShain sold Killarney house and the greater part of the estate to the State for a sum well below market value at the time having been assured that the house and estate would be incorporated into Killarney National Park. Mr. and Mrs. McShain reserved the house and surrounding 52 acres to their use for their lifetime. Mr. McShain died in 1989 and Mrs. McShain lived in the house until her death in 1998, when the house and surrounding 52 acres reverted to the State.

In recent years the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has funded essential works to avoid any deterioration to the fabric of the building, including works to prevent dampness, the provision of dehumidifiers in all the main rooms on the ground floor and other important trench and draining works. In addition, the gates and railings of the house have been restored, a security system has been installed and heating pipes and radiators have been upgraded. Furthermore, in 2007 the gate lodge at Killarney House was renovated for use as an assembly and information point for walking tours, at a cost of €250,000. The lawns and flowerbeds at the house are regularly maintained. Staff are employed to cut the lawns, trim hedges, plant and maintain flowerbeds, collect litter and carry out small maintenance jobs.

There have been a number of proposals made over the years regarding the future restoration, use and management of Killarney House. Indeed, the stated intention for Killarney House in the current management plan for Killarney National Park is to preserve and present its integrity and character both internally and externally and to provide for visitor access to certain parts as appropriate. The Office of Public Works has commissioned detailed specialist surveys of Killarney House which have made it clear that major infrastructural works are needed before the house can be opened up to the public.

Taking everything into account, the way forward is the setting up of a steering group under the auspices of the Office of Public Works together with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to determine a programme of remedial works to maintain the fabric of Killarney House. This process has commenced. The group will also address the definitive future use and development of Killarney House and source capital funding for the major investment that will be required to give effect to such proposals. As part of the process there will be full consultation with and involvement of both local and national stakeholders in the development of plans for the use of Killarney House.

I will no doubt visit Killarney in the not too distant future and I will make it my business to visit Killarney House. I will inform Senator Coghlan of when I am coming and he may, perhaps, tour it with me.