Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
44. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the development of Doneraile Court and Estate, and in particular the re-construction of the orangery (conservatory) at Doneraile House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9968/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDoneraile Court and Estate came into the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 1994. As the Deputy knows, the house at Doneraile is an outstanding example of Georgian architecture built by the St. Leger family in the seventeenth century on the site of a ruined castle, and linked to the St Leger Stakes in horse racing as well as to famous figures in Irish literature. Thirteen generations of the St Leger family lived at Doneraile over three centuries.
The house is set in 160-hectares of wildlife estate and landscaped parklands designed in the naturalistic style of the famous Capability Brown. In 2024 more than half a million visitors visited the parkland with over 4,000 ticketed visitors to the house.
Since coming into the care of the OPW, significant investment has been made in the conservation and presentation of Doneraile Court and Estate.
In 2019, the ground floor of the House was conserved and opened to the public. The Pleasure Gardens opened to the public in 2020. In 2023, the first floor conservation project was completed and universal access achieved at the House with the development of a new lift and a Changing Places facility.
Restoration and upgrade works are ongoing, and works in 2025 included site access and improvement works to pathways to enhance visitor safety, and new planting in the formal gardens and woodlands. Works for 2026 include repairs to the boundary wall, further garden conservation works and the upgrading of the Cafe Dining area.
The Orangery, originally erected in 1825, was a key architectural and social feature of the estate, serving both the family and their guests within the pleasure grounds. It was dismantled in the 1970s for safety reasons after falling into disrepair.
The 2023 Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Doneraile identifies the Orangery as an important lost feature on the site.
The OPW has completed a feasibility report exploring the options for the reconstruction and potential uses for the Orangery structure to complement and enhance the current visitor experience. In order to advance the project to the next stage, the OPW is in the process of following the necessary steps under the 'Infrastructure Guidelines' with a view to appointing a design team to develop a scheme to bring forward to planning.
