A centuries old stately home along with one of the country's finest gardens has been bequeathed to the State, it was announced today.
The stunning Altamont House and Gardens, in Co Carlow, was left to the Irish people by its late owner Corona North.
The 96-acre estate outside Tullow includes a mansion dating back to around 1720 and formal and informal gardens reputed to be among the most romantic in Ireland.
Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government John Gormley said the donation was a wonderful act of generosity by Mrs North, who died in 1999 after toiling for years to restore her inherited estate.
"It will be a lasting legacy to her memory," Mr Gormley said.
While the house itself is a huge draw for tourists, it is the gardens which attract most attention for its diverse range of species and features.
Attractions include an ornamental garden leading to a lake surrounded by rare trees, rhododendrons and shrubs as well as the Arboretum and Bog Garden.
The Ice Age Glen, an ancient oak wood, forms a canopy leading to a walk along the River Slaney while the Hill Walk offers views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster.
"Altamont House and Gardens is a very important Heritage property, rated by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as being of National importance," Mr Gormley said.
"It will be a very important tourist attraction in the Carlow area and a wonderful amenity for local families."
The estate is currently managed by the Office of Public Works.
PA