Irish Heritage Trust, Dublin

“We must show that economic development, national well being and respect for our heritage and environment must go hand in hand if we are to reach that ideal of sustained development that we all claim to support” -Jimmy Dennihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gealtachet, speaking at Fota House, August 2011. The idea of a national property owning trust has been around in Ireland since the 1960s. The first report recommending this type of organisation was written by An Taisce in 1977. It wasn’t until 2003 however that the idea became a reality when the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, launched ‘A future for Irish Historic Houses? - A study of fifty houses’ by Dr Terrence Dooley. This report was a collaboration between The Irish Georgian Society and the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. It highlighted the importance of the ‘Big House and Estate’ to contemporary Ireland and the risks that the sector was facing. As a result of this work, the Taoiseach invited Sir David Davies to form a small Steering Group to explore the issues surrounding the formation of a Trust and make recommendations to government. The result was the launch of the Irish Heritage Trust at Russborough House on 4th July 2006, with Sir David as the Chairman. The following year, the Trust took over its first property, Fota House. And following five years of fundraising, innovation and investment, Fota House now demonstrates the principles upon which the Trust was established; to bring to life Irish heritage properties for the benefit of our society through conservation, education, community participation and celebration. During this time, the Trust has secured a major donation of Irish art and furniture, raised substantial public and private funds to carry out restoration and improvement work to the House and Victorian glasshouses while simultaneously creating innovative participation and education initiatives.

• Membership Organisations
• Historic Properties
• Tourism Employment
• Heritage building