Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has announced the commencement of the next phase of works involved in the restoration of Killarney House and Gardens.

The contract for hard landscaping works for the new Pleasure Gardens, which was awarded today, will commence within days. It will include:

• Removal of small woodland, selected trees, and fencing

• Conservation/reinstatement- historic pathways

• Provision of new stone paving

• Conservation repairs to historic gates

• Provision of new surface water drainage and associated site services

• Re-grading and ground preparations and landscape and re-seeding works

• Provision of new fencing including deer fencing, metal and timber fencing and new gates.

The contract signed today is the first phase of restoration works to the former Pleasure Grounds and Gardens which will ultimately create spectacular landscaped areas that will merge into the natural areas of the Park and which will provide vistas linking the town to the scenery of mountain, wood and water.

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The works will recreate a historically appropriate and beautiful setting for the refurbished Killarney House, which when fully restored, will function as a National Park Visitor Centre. It will include a newly built extension that will house an interpretative centre for the National Park, exhibition space for temporary exhibitions, displays and cultural events, and a number of reception rooms that will be reinstated to accommodate original furniture currently in storage.

Minister Deenihan said: "I am delighted to announce that this further phase of work to Killarney House and Gardens is to commence within the next few days.

"Killarney House and Gardens has the potential to become an attraction of national and international importance. The restored pleasure grounds and gardens will be truly spectacular.

"They will provide a historically appropriate and beautiful setting for the restored Killarney House and will rival anything either in Ireland or abroad.

"What is particularly unique about this project is its close proximity to the Town. It creates an important new link, and strengthens the relationship, between Killarney National Park and Killarney Town.

"When completed, Killarney House and Gardens is set to become one of the top attractions in the region for visitors and locals alike and the additional tourism created by this project will greatly benefit the local economy and local long term job creation."

(CD/JP)