Acquisition of Lucan House to be completed by end of June

A DETAILED assessment of Lucan House and its grounds will be carried out following handover of the property to South Dublin County Council.

The council, who bought the former Italian Ambassador’s residence last year, said that following the assessment, they will put in place a plan to facilitate managed public access to the grounds.

Speaking at the recent monthly council meeting, chief executive Colm Ward said they expect the acquisition of Lucan House to be completed “by the end of June at the latest.”

“Also in relation to the wall surrounding it and the longstanding need for repairs, we have an agreement with the Italian embassy in terms of a way forward. We have tenders done and returned to us and we expect works to start imminently,” said Mr Ward.

In a report at the council meeting, SDCC say the acquisition of Lucan House and Demesne presents a “significant strategic opportunity” to acquire an asset of “national historical importance for the citizens of South Dublin and the country at large.”

The Georgian -Palladian house was built c1772 by the Vesey family.

The remaining Demesne of 30 acres associated with the property contains areas of manicured lawn mixed with heavily wooded areas, located in a section of the River Liffey and the Griffeen.

Following the assessment and managed public access to the grounds, consultants will be appointed in Q3 2024 to develop a masterplan for Lucan House and its associated 30 acres.

“The objectives of the masterplan will be to develop a plan for Lucan House and Demesne as a tourism, community and county amenity, a focus on the conservation of natural and built heritage, as well as examining the optimal economic, recreational and environmental uses to benefit Lucan and the wider county,” said the report.

“Lucan House will provide a significant opportunity to bring forward a new tourism and community amenity that will further contribute to Lucan’s rich heritage and history. With its designation as a destination town and the current investment by the council in Lucan’s public realm, creating a connected network of primary and secondary attractions within a coherent network of public spaces and supporting activities, as well as linkages to the Grand Canal Greenway, the reopening of Lucan House to the public will not only complement these works but will elevate the village’s attractiveness as a visitor destination, thereby supporting the local economy.”