Kelbuild, one of Ireland’s most reputable main contractors has been awarded the tender for the redevelopment of the Famine Museum in Strokestown Park House & Gardens in Co. Roscommon to be re-developed into a world-class must-visit national museum.
The first phase of the Famine Museum redevelopment is currently underway as Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Heritage Trust broke ground on the €5 million project in Co.Roscommon this week with main contractors Kelbuild in attendance.
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 to the area over the next five 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.
Welcoming the commencement of construction, at Strokestown Park, Minister of Social Protection, Community, Rural Development and Justice Heather Humphreys TD commented; “This capital project is a major boost for Roscommon and I am delighted to be here to mark this milestone for the region and for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. It is encouraging to see how Strokestown Park’s new, state-of-the-art National Famine Museum and Visitor Centre will positively impact the community and support the local economy in the near future. I wish all involved every success in the completion of the project in 2022”
The project will be funded from the owners of Strokestown Park House, Westward Holdings Ltd, in partnership with the Irish Heritage Trust will be €5 million. Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Product Development – Attractions, Mary Stack, added; “Developing must-visit attractions for domestic and international visitors is a key part of our recovery post COVID”. Anne O’Donoghue, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust, continued: “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.”
Joe Guinan, Commercial Manager at Kelbuild added “Kelbuild are thrilled to have been awarded this significant Irish infrastructural project on behalf of the Irish Heritage Trust fund and look forward to bringing this project to life in line with the clients objectives”.
The project which has already commenced is due for completion in 2022.
