O’Shea Calls for Continued OPW Investment in Doneraile Court and Estate

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to continue investing in Doneraile Court and Estate, with the reconstruction of the historic Orangery identified as the next key priority for the landmark North Cork attraction.

Deputy O’Shea made the call following a Parliamentary Question response from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, which confirmed that the OPW is progressing the preliminary business case for the reconstruction of the Orangery, a significant feature of the estate that was originally built in 1825-26 before being dismantled in the early 1970s.

Welcoming the update, Deputy O’Shea said “Doneraile Court and Estate is one of the jewels in the crown of North Cork. It is not only an important part of our heritage but also a major tourism attraction and community amenity that draws visitors from across Ireland and overseas.”

“The OPW has invested significantly in Doneraile over the past number of years, including the restoration of the ground floor, the conservation of the first floor, improvements to universal accessibility, the opening of the pleasure grounds and continued enhancement works throughout the estate. These investments have transformed the visitor experience and are very welcome.”

Deputy O’Shea noted that visitor numbers continue to demonstrate the importance of the attraction, with more than 500,000 people visiting the parklands annually and over 9,000 visitors touring the house.

“The next phase of development should now focus on delivering the Orangery. The Conservation Management Plan clearly identifies it as an important missing feature of the estate, and I welcome confirmation that the OPW has completed a feasibility study and is now preparing the Preliminary Business Case needed to progress the project.”

“Reconstructing the Orangery would restore an important historic feature of the estate while creating new opportunities to enhance the visitor experience, support tourism and further strengthen Doneraile’s reputation as one of Ireland’s premier heritage destinations.”

Deputy O’Shea said he would continue to engage with the Minister and the OPW to ensure the project progresses as quickly as possible.

“I am calling on the OPW to maintain the momentum that has been built over recent years. Continued investment in Doneraile Court and Estate will deliver lasting benefits for the local community, support jobs and tourism in North Cork, and ensure this magnificent estate can be enjoyed by future generations.”