Minister Anne Rabbitte is calling on the Office of Public Works to provide greater access to Portumna's Dowager House.
Minister Rabbitte has written to the Minister for the Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell requesting an increase in public access to the historic building.
Part of Portumna's Heritage Trail, Dowager House served as the summer home of Lord Lascelles and his wife, Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The couple stayed there in 1928, at a time when Portumna Castle — which Lord Lascelles had inherited — was a ruin.
The couple will be familiar to fans of Downton Abbey, as they featured in the Downton Abbey film and their troubled marriage formed a sub-plot of the film.
The building also previously served as a temporary home for the Clanricarde Burkes when Portumna Castle — their family home — was destroyed by a fire in 1826.
Minister Rabbitte’s call comes following the successful opening of the Dowager House during the recent Shorelines Arts Festival in Portumna, which demonstrated the significant public interest in engaging with this heritage site.
Minister Rabbitte had been engaging with the OPW in advance of the Shorelines Arts Festival to ensure access to Dowager House was provided, which was the first time such access was granted.
"I have written to the Minister for the Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell, seeking for the OPW to consider a long-term plan for regular public access to Dowager House," the for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East revealed this week. "It was fantastic to have it open for the Shorelines Arts Festival, and I think this needs to be a more regular occurrence.
“Dowager House is an untapped resource in Portumna," she added. "It’s more than just bricks and mortar; it represents our shared heritage and cultural identity. Opening it to the public fosters a sense of connection, understanding, and appreciation for our history. Not only would this preserve and showcase this remarkable building but also enrich the lives of the local community but visitors too.
“Dowager House has the potential to become a vibrant hub for cultural and community events in Portumna. Its unique setting and historical significance make it an ideal venue for a wide range of activities.”
