Fota House were delighted to have Minister Gormley visit First Irish Heritage Trust Property, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens.
Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (21 April 2008) visited Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens and paid tribute to the Irish Heritage Trust’s achievements at Fota since it took over responsibility for the property just over three months ago.
Minister Gormley was visiting the first property of the Irish Heritage Trust and viewing the wonderful collection of Irish art which opened to the public today. The collection includes seven 18th and 19th century Irish landscape paintings which were recently donated by the McCarthy family, active in Cork business and cultural life. This milestone represents the first major donation to the Irish Heritage Trust by private individuals. A second important collection has also been acquired for Fota – original Smith Barry family contents of Fota House. This collection comprises seven portraits, fourteen prints and four engravings. In addition, Sir Hugh Smith Barry’s Deputy Lieutenant’s Uniform from the late 19th century has been generously donated by an anonymous benefactor.
“I would like to congratulate the Irish Heritage Trust for achieving its first critical goal in securing the acquisition of Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens in December last year,” said Minister Gormley at Fota House. “I firmly believe that heritage properties must be cared for and opened up for the public to enjoy. Fota House is one of the most important houses of its period in Ireland and its conservation and sensitive development, with its architectural heritage and details fully intact, must be a priority. Apart from enriching the lives of local people, this will also provide employment and tourism opportunities in local communities around the country,” he added.
“We are very grateful to the Minister and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for their continued support, particularly the recent announcement to invest €1.5 million in Fota House,” said David Davies, Chairman of the Irish Heritage Trust. “Since January there has been tremendous activity around the property as well as local support and goodwill. These are exciting yet challenging times for the Trust and we have great plans to reinvigorate this special property and contribute to prosperity in this part of Cork,” he concluded.
The €1.5 million will go towards essential roof repairs and more importantly, bringing the upper floors back into public use. These works will be completed by the end of the year. Other improvements include the renovation of the Fota café which is underway and will re-open in June to welcome the summer visitors.
In the meantime, the new ‘Family Fun at Fota’ events programme for children supported by the Heritage Council has started successfully. Approximately 500 children and their families have already enjoyed Easter and cookery events at the property. It is hoped that everyone will continue to come to Fota to have fun learning about and celebrating this wonderful place. This events programme will run until the end of August, culminating in an art competition during Heritage Week.
-Ends-
The full list of art on display at Fota House is:
Landscape Irish Art (18th and 19th century)
- An Extensive View of Enniskerry - Jonathan Fisher
- A Wooded Landscape with Classical Ruins - Robert Carver
- An Extensive Wooded River Landscape with a washerwoman & a herdsman - Thomas Roberts
- A Land Storm - Thomas Roberts
- A View of Cloghoughter Castle, Co Cavan - William Ashford
- An Extensive View of the Lakes of Killarney - William Ashford
- View of Irelands Eye from Howth - William Ashford
Original Smith Barry Collection (17th- 19th century)
- Portrait of Hugh Smith of Weald Hall & Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Mrs. Dorothy Smith neé Barrett-Lennard - Circle Of Michael Dahl (Swedish, 1659-1743).
- Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Dorothy (1727-1756), wife of the Hon. John Smith-Barry - Circle of Herman van Der Mijn (Amsterdam 1684-1741 London).
- Portrait of David, 1st Earl of Barrymore (1604-1642) - English School, Circa 1636.
- Portrait of Sir John Jacob - Circle of Enoch Seeman (British, Born Circa 1694-1745).
- Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Lady Dorothy Jacob - English School, Circa 1730.
- Portrait of Dr. Tremlow, mounted on a chestnut hunter, with a hound before a gate, Marbury Hall beyond - John Bryan (British, Circa 1832).
- A Set of Fourteen Topographical Prints of Cork City and Environs - 19th century - W. Spreat of Exeter.
- After James Seymour – Four Engravings on Canvas - P.C. Canot, printed for Robert Sayer, Fleet Street, London.
- Sir Arthur Hugh Smith-Barry's Irish Deputy Lieutenant’s Uniform - Late 19th century.
The Irish Heritage Trust, a charity, was established in July 2006 to care for historic properties, houses and gardens throughout Ireland. The Trust acquired its first property, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens in Cork, in December 2007 and hopes to announce many more over the next few years. The Irish Heritage Trust will bring these exceptional places to life, helping to protect and celebrate them for future generations to enjoy, forever. http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/
Media queries:
Charlotte O'ConnorIrish Heritage TrustTel: 01-475 0085 Email: charlotte@irishheritagetrust.ieWeb: http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentPress and Information OfficeTel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)Email: press-office@environ.ie Web: http://www.environ.ie/
Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (21 April 2008) visited Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens and paid tribute to the Irish Heritage Trust’s achievements at Fota since it took over responsibility for the property just over three months ago.
Minister Gormley was visiting the first property of the Irish Heritage Trust and viewing the wonderful collection of Irish art which opened to the public today. The collection includes seven 18th and 19th century Irish landscape paintings which were recently donated by the McCarthy family, active in Cork business and cultural life. This milestone represents the first major donation to the Irish Heritage Trust by private individuals. A second important collection has also been acquired for Fota – original Smith Barry family contents of Fota House. This collection comprises seven portraits, fourteen prints and four engravings. In addition, Sir Hugh Smith Barry’s Deputy Lieutenant’s Uniform from the late 19th century has been generously donated by an anonymous benefactor.
“I would like to congratulate the Irish Heritage Trust for achieving its first critical goal in securing the acquisition of Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens in December last year,” said Minister Gormley at Fota House. “I firmly believe that heritage properties must be cared for and opened up for the public to enjoy. Fota House is one of the most important houses of its period in Ireland and its conservation and sensitive development, with its architectural heritage and details fully intact, must be a priority. Apart from enriching the lives of local people, this will also provide employment and tourism opportunities in local communities around the country,” he added.
“We are very grateful to the Minister and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for their continued support, particularly the recent announcement to invest €1.5 million in Fota House,” said David Davies, Chairman of the Irish Heritage Trust. “Since January there has been tremendous activity around the property as well as local support and goodwill. These are exciting yet challenging times for the Trust and we have great plans to reinvigorate this special property and contribute to prosperity in this part of Cork,” he concluded.
The €1.5 million will go towards essential roof repairs and more importantly, bringing the upper floors back into public use. These works will be completed by the end of the year. Other improvements include the renovation of the Fota café which is underway and will re-open in June to welcome the summer visitors.
In the meantime, the new ‘Family Fun at Fota’ events programme for children supported by the Heritage Council has started successfully. Approximately 500 children and their families have already enjoyed Easter and cookery events at the property. It is hoped that everyone will continue to come to Fota to have fun learning about and celebrating this wonderful place. This events programme will run until the end of August, culminating in an art competition during Heritage Week.
-Ends-
The full list of art on display at Fota House is:
Landscape Irish Art (18th and 19th century)
- An Extensive View of Enniskerry - Jonathan Fisher
- A Wooded Landscape with Classical Ruins - Robert Carver
- An Extensive Wooded River Landscape with a washerwoman & a herdsman - Thomas Roberts
- A Land Storm - Thomas Roberts
- A View of Cloghoughter Castle, Co Cavan - William Ashford
- An Extensive View of the Lakes of Killarney - William Ashford
- View of Irelands Eye from Howth - William Ashford
Original Smith Barry Collection (17th- 19th century)
- Portrait of Hugh Smith of Weald Hall & Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Mrs. Dorothy Smith neé Barrett-Lennard - Circle Of Michael Dahl (Swedish, 1659-1743).
- Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Dorothy (1727-1756), wife of the Hon. John Smith-Barry - Circle of Herman van Der Mijn (Amsterdam 1684-1741 London).
- Portrait of David, 1st Earl of Barrymore (1604-1642) - English School, Circa 1636.
- Portrait of Sir John Jacob - Circle of Enoch Seeman (British, Born Circa 1694-1745).
- Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Lady Dorothy Jacob - English School, Circa 1730.
- Portrait of Dr. Tremlow, mounted on a chestnut hunter, with a hound before a gate, Marbury Hall beyond - John Bryan (British, Circa 1832).
- A Set of Fourteen Topographical Prints of Cork City and Environs - 19th century - W. Spreat of Exeter.
- After James Seymour – Four Engravings on Canvas - P.C. Canot, printed for Robert Sayer, Fleet Street, London.
- Sir Arthur Hugh Smith-Barry's Irish Deputy Lieutenant’s Uniform - Late 19th century.
The Irish Heritage Trust, a charity, was established in July 2006 to care for historic properties, houses and gardens throughout Ireland. The Trust acquired its first property, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens in Cork, in December 2007 and hopes to announce many more over the next few years. The Irish Heritage Trust will bring these exceptional places to life, helping to protect and celebrate them for future generations to enjoy, forever. http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/
Media queries:
Charlotte O'ConnorIrish Heritage TrustTel: 01-475 0085 Email: charlotte@irishheritagetrust.ieWeb: http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentPress and Information OfficeTel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)Email: press-office@environ.ie Web: http://www.environ.ie/
