A seldom-seen section of the historic Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford has been officially opened to the general public for the first time.
The opening took place this morning when the Irish Heritage Trust also launched its new guide to volunteering to encourage people to help out at some of the country's heritage properties
The East Wing of Johnstown Castle is the latest section of the castle estate, museum and gardens to open to visitors, following the initial public opening four years ago.
This part of the 800-year-old gothic revival castle is now available for wedding ceremonies, family celebrations and corporate events.
Housing many architectural features, it is set within its own annex of the castle, comprising three rooms where many parties and events took place throughout the property's history and which once housed a ballroom, oratory, billiard room, and science laboratory.
Today's opening was used by the Irish Heritage Trust to launch its guide to volunteering.
Since the Irish Heritage Trust was established in 2006, it has developed its volunteering programme to bring some of Ireland's most precious historic properties and their stories to life.
Irish Heritage Trust Volunteers, with the support of staff and other conservation specialists, have enabled the trust to carry out work including gardening, tour guiding, stewarding, customer service and restoration projects across all three trust properties.
These volunteers help the trust to welcome thousands of domestic and international visitors each year and to share the stories of the properties and the people who once lived in them.
Over the past three years, the Irish Heritage Trust, a non-profit organisation, has more than doubled its number of volunteers who now number 300 at its properties:
Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens in Co Cork; Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens in Co Wexford and Strokestown Park House, Gardens and National Famine Museum in Co Roscommon.
The new guide reaffirms the Trust's commitment to volunteers as it continues to recruit new people at these historic properties.
Launching the guide, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said Irish Heritage Trust volunteers, many of whom have personal connections to the properties in the trust’s care, make "an immense contribution" as the trust develops vibrant visitor attractions which showcase our local and national heritage.
"The enduring connections that are made between volunteers from the community with these special places means that our heritage will be protected and our social history brought to life for generations to come".
His Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provided funding of €750,000 towards "the conservation-led refurbishment of this unique Gothic turreted wing of Johnstown Castle, using sustainable Irish materials and master craftspeople".
CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust, Anne O’Donoghue, said "increased individual and community participation is the key to enhancing the special places we care for".
The Complete Guide to Volunteering "provides a framework for us to develop, manage and acknowledge volunteerism in a meaningful and inclusive way in the years ahead," she said.
