Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O'Donovan TD, has welcomed the completion of works at Roscrea Castle and Damer House.

The works have been completed after a three year program of repair and upgrades at a cost of just under €900k.

Damer House, an early C18th pre-Palladian house, is at the heart of the visitor experience with visitor reception facilities and fine historic rooms, presented with art, furniture and artefacts. Guided tours are provided by the expert OPW visitor staff on site.

In April 2023, the Office of Public Works completed a three-year restoration program for Damer House. This included the repair of all window boxes and sashes on the North and East facades, along with a comprehensive initiative to restore the stone jambs, cills, keystones and lintels of these facades. This effort aimed to rectify the erosion of the sandstone surrounds, which had been causing significant water ingress into the structure of the house.

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Comprehensive Mechanical and Electrical upgrade and ancillary works were also undertaken on the Roscrea Castle complex in 2022 and completed in February 2023. The works included the upgrading of all electrical ducting, cabling, lighting, emergency lighting and sockets throughout the Gate Tower, supervisors guides offices, operational staff depot quarters and the courtyards. The addition of new lighting features and new heating measures have greatly improved comfort levels for both staff and visitors. New distribution boards were installed as well as the introduction of a new CCTV security system.

Minister O'Donovan said:

"I am delighted to be here today to official open this wonderful collection of Heritage properties in the heart of Roscrea for the 2024 season. The annual opening of these Heritage sites are an essential part to the tourism industry across rural Ireland but also contribute to the environmental and economic benefits of the local community.

"I would like to highlight the wonderful work carried out by my OPW colleagues who over the last three years have worked on a programme of repairs and upgrades, which will preserve and safeguard these buildings into the future."

On 22 June 2023, the Roscrea Castle complex welcomed back visitors, offering guided tours of the castle, Damer House, the surrounding grounds, gardens, and the nearby Blackmills which is a restored mill within a short distance from the complex.