Work has begun on a €60.5 million extension of Westport House, one of the largest tourism projects in the west of Ireland.
Work will see the restoration of protected structures at Westport House, including repairs and upgrades to the fabric and accessibility.
The Irish tourism board Fáilte Ireland has promised an enhanced experience of the Georgian country house, with a range of interpretive media regaling 350 years of stories about the estate.
Developers are also set to restore and repurpose the Coach House for a visitor facility, including a cafe, a retail space and an orientation point for the estate.
The Coach House will see an extension for the ‘Grace O’Malley Experience’ – a 360-degree cinematic experience with multi-sensory effects to tell the story of the pirate queen.
Work has begun on a €60.5 million extension of Westport House as one of the largest tourism projects in the west of Ireland. Credit: Consarc Design Group
As part of current provisions, developers will repair and upgrade the fabric of the original protected structures on the ground and first floor. They will demolish some non-historic additions.
Outside, work is set to begin on an outdoor landscape and gardens for the ‘Wild Realms’ visitor experience. This will span 34 acres across the estate with three interconnected outdoor spaces based off the Irish mythological story the Tree of Life.
These spaces include the ‘Lower Realm’, the “Middle Realm’ and the ‘Upper Realm’.
Adjoining the ‘Lower Realm’ will be the ‘Ladies Island’ – which includes a single story ‘Eartharium’ entrance passageway and elevated walkway. The remaining features of the permanently closed Pirate Adventure Park complex will be demolished.
The Coach House will see an extension for the ‘Grace O’Malley Experience’ – a 360-degree cinematic experience with multi-sensory effects to tell the story of the pirate queen. Credit: Fáilte Ireland
The Middle Realm will adjoin the protected structure of the Wall Garden, and plans ensure the conversion and partial repurposing of surviving original structures.
The ‘Upper Realm’ will adjoin the Gardvillaun.
Fáilte Ireland put forward €36 million for the project, while the Hughes Family, the owners of Westport Estate, contributed the remaining funding.
In the northern part of the Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland has promised that the redevelopment will vitalise tourism to the area.
Over 10 years, they predict that it will entice 1.1 million domestic and overseas visitors and generate €113 million into the local and regional economy.
They expect that the extension will generate 226 jobs annually, both directly and indirectly.
Speaking at the sod-turning, Minister of State at the Department for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Alan Dillion claimed that the development will “offer a world class visitor experience unlike anything else in Ireland, celebrating our heritage, landscape and stories while strengthening the tourism offering in Westport, across Mayo and along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Caroline Bocquel said that they are addressing a “clear gap in the tourism offering in the northern half” of the Wild Atlantic Way Route.
“It reflects our focus on developing distinctive, high-quality attractions that strengthen Ireland’s overall tourism offering and deliver long term economic and social benefits.”
Construction is expected to take two years. Work officially began in August.
Feature Imagre Credit: Fáilte Ireland
