Madam, - I am writing to applaud and reinforce your views (Editorial, May 24th) on the sale of Lissadell - the great Irish house which was the home of Countess Markievicz, and of the Gore-Booth family since it was built in the 1830s.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for owners of historic properties, particularly those in private ownership, to make ends meet. Insurance costs are soaring, VAT and taxes can be prohibitive, and those houses in the tourist industry are feeling the cold winds of the world economy. Though owners sometimes get welcome tax relief through section 482, many properties receive little or no assistance from the State and major restoration grants are thin on the ground.
An overall strategy is needed for our remaining major houses. This should initially focus on ways to keep the houses in caring private hands. In the event of sale, there should be a mechanism involving government and local interests for acquiring houses of importance. The scheme being mooted by An Taisce for a national property owning body (National Trust) may well be the answer and should be seriously considered and assessed.
The case of Lissadell highlights the importance of a study currently being carried out by the Irish Georgian Society in partnership with Dúchas (Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government). Fifty major houses, some in the hands of the original owners, some in State ownership and some owned by schools and institutions, are being studied to ascertain the individual problems and assess the viability of each into the next generation. This information is vital if we are to have a pragmatic scheme, as opposed to staggering from crisis to crisis.
For every Ballyfin (being restored privately) there will be several Cartons (diminished by hotels and golf courses). One cannot blame developers, or owners who sell, if there is no viable alternative for the survival of the house. What lies in store for Ireland's remaining historic houses? Political will, as well as funds, is needed to ensure the survival of this rich heritage. Planning for the future, which has already arrived, is urgently needed. - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND FITZGERALD, Knight of Glin, President, Irish Georgian Society, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.