€5 million redevelopment for Strokestown's Famine Museum

Co. Roscommon's Strokestown Park House & Gardens' Famine Museum is to undergo a €5 million redevelopment.

In a statement published on its website, Fáilte Ireland said, "The Famine Museum in Strokestown Park House & Gardens in Co. Roscommon is set to be re-developed into a world-class must-visit national museum and the first steps of the redevelopment are underway as Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Heritage Trust break ground on the €5 million project.

"The National Famine Museum will tell the story of the Great Hunger in an engaging and respectful way and Fáilte Ireland predicts it will bring over 50,000 more visitors and €13.2 million in additional revenue to the area over the next 5 years. In addition, a new visitor centre and café will also be developed at Strokestown Park, transforming the estate into a sustainable heritage visitor attraction."

The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park House and Gardens was awarded funding of €3.75 million under Fáilte Ireland’s Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects 2016-2020. The total project cost, including €1.25 million funding from the owners of Strokestown Park House, Westward Holdings Ltd, in partnership with the Irish Heritage Trust, will be €5 million. This is one of over 50 capital projects Fáilte Ireland is supporting across the country, all of which will deliver new and enhanced tourism experiences for domestic and international visitors.

Anne O’Donoghue, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust, added: “We are delighted to reach this stage of the €5 million capital programme transforming Strokestown Park’s National Famine Museum into a world-class heritage tourist attraction of national and international importance. We are immensely grateful to Fáilte Ireland, and Westward Holdings Ltd., for partnering us on this exciting journey and we would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support for Strokestown Park from Roscommon County Council and the surrounding community in Strokestown."

"As we enter this new phase of development we are passionate about delivering on the Irish Heritage Trust’s mission of sharing wonderful places and developing innovative visitor experiences.”