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AN ADDITIONAL €500,000 has been granted to Killarney House as part of Budget 2017. Speaking in the Seanad, Leas-Cathaoirleach Paul Coghlan welcomed the Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohue’s confirmation that an additional €500,000 million will be allocated to Killarney House, under the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It’s one of a number of selected projects across the country that have received additional funding thanks to Budget 2017.

Killarney House has already received €1.9 million from the Department. “The refurbishment of Killarney House was announced in 2011, as a joint project between the Department and Fáilte Ireland, and I believe the house has the capacity to become the top tourist attraction in the south-west,” said Senator Coghlan.
“This continued support by Minister Donohue comes in what has been a crucial year for Killarney House, and will provide a vital link between the town centre and park.

“Killarney House is a magnificent place, that has been beautifully restored thanks to Government investment and will hopefully become the main visitor centre for Killarney National Park. The gardens were opened this year with 70,000 estimated visitors over the summer, and the museum is to be formally opened in the coming months. The refurbishment of the historical site is the most significant development for Kerry tourism in years.

“Every little helps in terms of improving and promoting our tourism offering here in Kerry. The Government knows the vital importance that tourism plays in the Kerry economy. This type of funding is crucial to helping us maintain and upgrade Killarney’s tourism potential.”