Minister Varadkar marks completion of four-year Fota House restoration project
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has visited Fota House to mark the completion of this landmark restoration project.
Minister Varadkar came to see for himself the result of this four-year initiative which has involved €2.5 million in funding, numerous specialists, and almost a dozen organisations.
The Minister unveiled a plaque to formally recognise the contribution of everyone who helped to protect and conserve Fota House since it came into public ownership in the 1970s.
Minister Varadkar said: ‘It’s great to visit Fota House and see this work at first hand. My Department has invested some €1.7 million into this project as part of its ongoing commitment to maintain and improve important tourism and cultural attractions. This year alone we have allocated €20 million to capital projects nationally. It’s particularly satisfying to see this work completed, in such a beautiful setting’.
The entire restoration, conservation and interpretation project for Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens amounted to €2.5 million of which €1.7 million was donated by Fáilte Ireland. This is just part of the overall sum of €4.5 million raised by the Irish Heritage Trust for the property over the last five years.
“We are delighted to have received such generous support from Fáilte Ireland. Their investment in Fota has created a world class property and allowed us to meet demands of the modern visitor” – said Trust CEO, Kevin Baird.
Seven separate presentations were made today to the McCarthy Family, the OPW, Fota Trust Company, the Department of the Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht, and Fáilte Ireland, Cork City and County Councils.
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