€1.2 Million Investment for New Family-Friendly Outdoor Experience at Strokestown Park

Strokestown Park | The National Famine Museum has announced a €1.2 million investment that will transform its historic grounds into a vibrant, nature-based visitor experience.

Backed by a €1.2m investment from Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme* which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund, the project will reimagine how visitors explore, experience and connect with Strokestown Park’s unique historic landscape and heritage.  

Opening in summer 2026, the new outdoor experience will invite visitors of all ages to discover the estate’s woodlands, meadows and rivers through a carefully designed network of accessible trails, immersive play spaces and interactive learning zones. The project is delivered in partnership with Westward Holdings Ltd., owners of the historic property, alongside investment from the Irish Heritage Trust, which has managed and cared for Strokestown Park since 2015.

Many of the estate’s natural features have long been underexplored or difficult to access. This project will unlock those areas through new woodland paths, boardwalks and inclusive trail surfaces, marking a new chapter by making it easier for everyone to enjoy the beauty of this landscape in meaningful and reflective ways.

At its heart, the development prioritises conservation, biodiversity and inclusive access, creating a visitor experience that seamlessly connects Strokestown Park’s rich natural environment with its remarkable built heritage. Visitors can look forward to family-friendly, interactive adventure zones and immersive play areas, all inspired by the unique character and history of Strokestown Park House. A focus on inclusive learning will ensure that these activities are accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Speaking about the announcement, John O’Driscoll, Irish Heritage Trust General Manager at Strokestown Park | The National Famine Museum. said:

“This new project will revitalise Strokestown Park estate’s extraordinary natural and cultural assets, linking education and heritage with biodiversity and community well-being. It is also a wonderful opportunity to broaden the estate’s appeal for visitors of all ages and abilities, offering our younger guests the perfect blend of fun and learning” said “This extensive programme of works will respect Strokestown Park’s historic character and natural heritage, with new infrastructure designed to complement the landscape. By preserving woodlands and protecting specimen trees, we aim to support biodiversity and environmental education.”

About Strokestown Park | The National Famine Museum

Strokestown Park is home to one of Ireland’s most authentic Palladian houses, remarkably preserved with its original interiors and collections. The estate tells a powerful story of Ireland’s past, including the contrasting lives lived during the Great Famine.

The award-winning National Famine Museum, reopened in 2022 following a major redevelopment by the Irish Heritage Trust, continues to offer visitors a deeply moving and insightful experience. Recent conservation milestones include the restoration of the estate’s 18th-century gallery kitchen, the last of its kind in Ireland, now open with a new exhibition.

Strokestown Park & Gardens and The National Famine Museum are open daily from 10:30am to 5:00pm.
For tickets, events and updates, visit www.strokestownpark.ie

*Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across 8 counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat. The scheme will develop the midlands into a leading regenerative tourism destination, creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities in the region. It will also support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination through funding of sustainable tourism projects that are designed to have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.  www.failteireland.ie