Significant restoration and interpretation plans for Westport Estate approved
THE restoration and interpretation of the historic Westport House and Estate seeks to place the estate on a firm and self-sustaining footing to ensure its long-term sustainability and survival, preserving the significant architectural, landscape, cultural and related heritage assets for generations to come.
That vision has received a major boost with multi-million euro restoration and interpretation plans approved by Mayo County Council.
A planning application received a strong endorsement from the region's tourism and business sector and representative bodies.
The proposals include the restoration of Westport House (a protected structure), including to repair and upgrade the fabric and accessibility of the house alongside providing a new visitor and interpretive experience.
The Coach House will see restoration and repurposing to accommodate a visitor facility including café, retail and administrative functions as well as a Grace O’Malley Experience interpretive space.
‘Wild Realms’ will deliver an outdoor landscape and gardens based visitor experience, including the partial restoration of formal Italianate gardens to the west of Westport House.
The ‘Lower Realm’ at and adjoining ‘Ladies Island’ includes construction of a single storey ‘Eartharium’ entrance passageway structure and elevated walkway (with varying height up to maximum of c. 4 metres above ground) with associated gathering areas and an elevated story telling structure. This involves demolition and removal of remaining features of the Pirate Adventure Park complex.
The ‘Middle Realm’ at and adjoining the walled garden (a protected structure) includes conservation and partial repurposing of surviving original structures and construction/installation of new structures and features.
An ‘Upper Realm’ is at and adjoining Garvillaun. There's provision for pedestrian/visitor routes, including repair/consolidation and bridging of the existing causeway to Garvillaun (partially within the maritime area) and the creation of a pontoon across Westport House Lough.
The project will reverse previous insensitive interventions, while giving purpose to decaying buildings and landscapes within the estate, which is the best way to ensure their longevity.
The owners have partnered with Fáilte Ireland through the Platforms for Growth grant for heritage and cultural attractions, which will provide funding of in excess of €20 million as part of an overall investment across the estate in the order of €75 million.
Through this partnership, the project will also deliver on public policy objectives and priorities for the town and region, most notably to extend the international appeal of the northern part of the Wild Atlantic Way, including Westport, and to significantly extend the visitor season.
At its core, the concept draws on the unique history and setting of the estate to deliver a mould breaking ‘product’ for visitors that will resonate on a global scale and which represents the forefront of creative design by an extensive design team at the forefront of heritage, landscape and tourism disciplines (amongst others).
Full plans in what is a very extensive application are available on the Mayo County Council website.