Sir, - The St Helen's House Preservation Group warmly welcomes the Fianna Fail pledge to direct National Lottery funding towards heritage and to develop a National Heritage Plan.
In the same issue (February 5th) Mr David Andrews, Fianna Fail spokesman on tourism and trade argued for immediate and greater funding in tourism. "Tourism is now the most important sector in the Irish economy. . . employing 107,000 people and generating £1.45 million a year." Mr Andrews now has a golden opportunity within his own Dun Laoghaire Rathdown constituency, to fight for the purchase and development of St Helen's House, Booterstown, as a National Heritage Centre.
Nearly three years ago this group carried out an excellent (and costly) St Helen's Feasibility Study. Copies were circulated to Mr Andrews, Ministers, TDs, councillors, tourist agencies etc. We demonstrated how this great 18th century mansion with its historic gardens, now a national monument, could be developed into a thriving visitors centre with a museum, shop, restaurant, gardens and woodland walks. Its proximity to Dublin city and the Dun Laoghaire ferryport give it a clear advantage.
In recent times, poor maintenance and wanton vandalism threatened this beautiful building.
we have notified Minister Higgins that St Helen's is for sale but there has been no interest in its purchase. Would Mr Andrews and his party take up the St Helen's cause and fight to secure its future for the Irish people? - Yours etc.,
Park Villas,
Grove Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.