A total of €250,000 in funding has been allocated to upgrade Russborough House in Co Wicklow.

Match funding has also been secured from the Apollo Trust in the UK.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, said: "More than 100,000 people have visited Russborough House and its parklands throughout 2016, and revenues at the House are also on the rise. Russborough is an important heritage site and tourist attraction for Co. Wicklow and I am pleased to be able to approve this grant of €250,000 for upgrading works at the House.

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"This is the first time in a number of years, thanks to the improving economy, that my Department has been in a position to provide capital support towards the House. Russborough is itself emerging from a difficult financial situation, and I would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by the Alfred Beit Foundation to put the operations of the house on a more sustainable basis.

"I am pleased to see Russborough is planning ahead for the future with renewed confidence and I know the Foundation has an ambitious vision to develop the House as a centre for education in the arts. My officials and I will continue to work with the Foundation as these plans are developed."

(CD)