Doneraile Court was built in the 1700’s by the St Leger family who remained in residence for 13 generations until 1969. It has been in the stewardship of the Office of Public Works (OPW) since 1994 and following the €1.6 million Capital Works Project, including a €350k grant from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the ground floor has been fully restored and the house now takes its place as one of Ireland’s most important historic properties. Doneraile carries immense cultural weight and is iconic in the North Cork landscape. The estate, together with other lands, was purchased in 1629 by Sir William St. Leger, Lord President of Munster, who moved into the 13th-century Doneraile Castle. By 1645 the castle had been attacked and burned several times and was so badly damaged that it had to be abandoned.
The OPW has made significant incremental advances during their stewardship, securing and preserving the structure of the house through roof repairs, window replacement and other works to the fabric of the building. In a separate wing adjoining the main house, the OPW developed a popular and successful café which opened in 2012. The opening of the Ground Floor, which marks the 25th anniversary of its stewardship, highlights the OPWs ongoing commitment to the conservation and preservation of this wonderful building. Other improvements in the Estate include a new playground, a car-park extension, toilets refurbishment, access links to the town, restoration of the Triumphal Arch and Gates, signage, re-roofing of the Coach House and Gardeners’ Cottages, repairs to boundary walls, repairs to the historic Ha Ha Walls, works to the lake and bridges, and
The present house was constructed in 1725 by architect Isaac Rothery. Over the years various extensions were added such as an octagonal kitchen and game store built in 1869. A dining room built at the same time and a nine bay Gothic Revival style conservatory built in 1825 have since been demolished. Other improvements within the estate included cottages, lodges, farm buildings and stables. On the death of Hugh the seventh Viscount, this line of the family failed, and he was succeeded by his second cousin once removed, the eighth Viscount. In 1969 the house was sold to the Land Commission. 6 www.heritageireland.ie