Sir, – The chief executive of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett, referring to Bantry House, rightly draws attention to the economic value of cultural and heritage tourism to the country (September 5th). He might also have added that there is no more economic way for the State of providing attractions than when their private owners open them to visitors. Bantry was the first great house in the State to open its doors like this in the 1940s, and when we visited it last week it was full of Irish, American and continental tourists poring over its fascinating and eclectic contents.
The owners of Bantry House deserve every support in keeping this beautiful place and its collection intact. Places such as Castletown House, Fota, Kilkenny Castle and Malahide Castle have all come into public ownership but are so much less interesting without their original contents. In fact we have now very few heritage properties with their historic contents in place, and compare badly with other countries such as Scotland, where a last-minute campaign saved the remarkable contents of Dumfries House from auction in 2007.
The Headfort House example referred to by Mr Starrett, where the Heritage Council purchased important furniture and left it in situ, would seem the perfect solution for Bantry. While it is clear that the Heritage Council does not at present have the funds to help on this occasion, perhaps Mr Starrett could negotiate with the owners to postpone the auction to see if funds can be raised in some other way. In other countries public appeals are raised to save treasures for the nation, and we are sure such an appeal would get widespread support in this case, not least from the traders of west Cork and Cork County Council.
While it may not be possible to save every heritage property in this country, Bantry House and its contents should be high on any list of priorities. Its treasures, once dispersed, will be lost forever and that would be a great shame. – Yours, etc,
JOHN LYONS
and GABRIELLE BOWE,
Palmerston Road, Dublin 6.