Minister Helen McEntee visits Westport House to learn about ambitious new vision

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, TD, on her visit to Mayo this week, visited Westport House to learn about the ambitious new vision to transform it into a world-class tourism destination and visitor attraction operating on a year-round basis for domestic and international visitors.

Minister McEntee was joined by her Mayo-based parliamentary colleagues Deputy Michael Ring, Deputy Alan Dillon and Senator Paddy Burke to learn about the plans, which will also see Westport House create a uniquely Irish landscape experience in conjunction with renowned landscape designer Mary Reynolds.

Supported by Fáilte Ireland, the project will also involve the full restoration of Westport House and the reimagining of its 300-year history and the legendary stories of the Browne family and Grace O’Malley. A new dedicated heritage visitor hub with ticketing area, shop, restaurant and terrace area will support these new attractions. This will be integrated into the restored Coach House building near the Main House.

Minister Mc Entee's visit was hosted by Cathal Hughes and it comes on the back of a recent series of highly successful public information days which over 300 people attended, with 97 percent of respondents in a survey expressing strong support for the plans.