Fáilte Ireland and commercial forestry company Coillte have announced plans to invest €8 million in redeveloping Co. Wicklow's Avondale House and Forest Park into a state-of-the-art visitor attraction.
The redevelopment project, to which Fáilte Ireland will contribute more than €6.1 million, is also being supported by Wicklow County Council, and it is expected to provide a major boost to tourism in Ireland upon its completion in 2021.
Avondale House, once the home of Charles Stewart Parnell, is now owned by Coillte and is considered to be the birthplace of Irish forestry. The 500-acre estate was originally built in the eighteenth century for Samuel Hayes, who introduced exotic tree species into Ireland.
"Exciting Opportunities"
Commenting on the project, minister of state for tourism Brendan Griffin said, "The exciting redevelopment of Avondale House and Forest Park, supported by significant government funding, presents exciting opportunities for businesses and communities in Wicklow and across Ireland’s Ancient East to benefit from the additional visitors that will be drawn to this major new attraction. In terms of accommodation, food and transport facilities, I encourage communities and tourism enterprises across the region to be ready to take advantage when the redeveloped Avondale House and Forest Park opens in 2021."
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
