An Taisce is reserving comment on the reported sale of Westport House and Demense to the Westport based Hughes Family, pending information on the developments proposed.

Information made available today states that a €50 million investment is proposed. No information is, as yet, available on those proposed developments or the future of the remaining historic paintings and other contents, which are an integral part of the heritage of the house, and the history of Co Mayo.

It is essential to the maintenance of Westport as one of Connacht’s premier heritage and tourism locations that future development be compatible with the maintenance of the historic character and setting of the house and its designed landscape grounds.

ENDS

Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer, An Taisce. Tel: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

Notes

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.