South Dublin County Council closing in on purchase of Italian amassador residence

The former residence of the Italian ambassador to Ireland is expected to be handed over to South Dublin County Council in June.

Proposed plans for the former Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Lucan Village were presented to Councillors of the Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill Area Committee.

The sale of Lucan House is expected to close in June with a formal handover event to be arranged.

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh said “the acquisition of Lucan House and its incredible surrounding grounds by South Dublin County Council was greeted with excitement and welcomed by everyone when we first learned of this last year. Lucan Village as a gateway to the Liffey Valley was designated as a ‘destination town’ by Fáilte Ireland under its destination development programme, something I wholeheartedly welcomed.”

€2 million has been allocated in funding by South Dublin County Council for public realm improvements to the weir, village green and entrance to St Catherine’s Desmesne

Ó Brádaigh said “the closing sale is expected to happen in June and there will be a post-handover assessment of the house and grounds thereafter. However, it is expected that the intended purpose of the wonderful house and space will be to serve as a driver to attract tourism into our beautiful village, whilst developing the house and demesne as a community and wider county amenity. The opportunities are great in my view, and I do hope to see Lucan House now being open to the public and providing locals and visitors with a space that can be enjoyed by families in the near future.

He said that the appointment of consultants to develop a masterplan is scheduled to take place before the end of August.

“Naturally this will consider conservation of surrounding nature and the built heritage within the property. The masterplan will investigate the best uses for the mutual benefit of the community and beyond, whilst examining the potential economic, recreational and environmental uses.”

The property dates back to 1772, with structures of note including a bath house, single-arch stone bridge, a steelwork bridge, two gate lodges, stable block and more, with the history of the site itself dating back to 1560.

“The development of the property going forward will be included as part of the Capital Provision 3 Year programme and the investment is significant. This is a brilliant project, and I am fully supportive in welcoming this progress and commend South Dublin County Council for their vision and investment in Lucan,” Ó Brádaigh said.