The mammoth task of restoring King House in Boyle, County Roscommon has fallen to Roscommon County Council.
Formerly the town-house of the Earls of Kingston, the courtyard also served as a barracks for the Connaught Rangers. Now plans are underway to turn the Georgian building into a civic centre, military museum and town library. The restoration project will cost at least £2 million to complete.
Donal Connolly Roscommon County Manager says that thanks to £600,000 from European Commission structural funds, a timescale for the completion of the project has been agreed with Bord Fáilte.
Local historian Richard McGee says the building has played a key role in Boyle over the years, but now it has great potential to become
our finest jewel without any doubt
As well as becoming a provincial military museum the centre will host receptions and banquets. McGee is optimistic about the future saying
As a possible banquet site, who knows we may even outdo Bunratty yet.
An RTÉ News report by Jim Fahy broadcast on 10 October 1990.
