MINISTER OF State Brian Hayes yesterday pledged the support of the Office of Public Works for plans to continue the development of Doneraile Wildlife Park in north Co Cork to make it a national tourist attraction.
Mr Hayes said he was impressed by the plan for the park, which includes the Georgian mansion Doneraile Court. The plan was drawn up by Doneraile Development Association with support from Ballyhoura Development and Cork County Council.
Even though the OPW’s budget for capital works had been cut by 300 per cent over the past five years, Mr Hayes said he was confident it would be possible for the agency to carry out incremental improvement works at the 166 hectare park over the coming years.
Eamon Horgan, vice-chairman of the development association, said that, with further development, annual visitor numbers could rise from 100,000 to 300,000 in five to seven years.
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