Source: Sitomon via Flickr/Creative Commons

RUSSBOROUGH HOUSE IN Co Wicklow is set to receive thousands of euro in government funding to allow upgrading works to go ahead.

In recent years the popular tourist attraction, constructed in the mid 1700s and located close to the Blessington Lakes, has faced funding difficulties. That’s according to the Alfred Beit Foundation, which runs the stately home after it was left to the State.

This precarious financial situation prompted the Foundation to auction off paintings from the House’s collection, prompting outcry from the arts community.

The auction is reported to have gone ahead earlier this year.

A total of €250,000 has been approved for repairs at the House, the Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs said in a statement, following a request from the foundation.

Match funding is also being provided by the UK-based Apollo Trust.

Source: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

“This is the first time in a number of years, thanks to the improving economy, that my Department has been in a position to provide capital support towards the House,” Minister Humphreys said.

Between 2002 and 2007, the House received as much as €2 million in funding.

Humphreys continued:

Russborough is itself emerging from a difficult financial situation, and I would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by the Alfred Beit Foundation to put the operations of the House on a more sustainable basis.

“I am pleased to see Russborough is planning ahead for the future with renewed confidence and I know the Foundation has an ambitious vision to develop the House as a centre for education in the arts. My officials and I will continue to work with the Foundation as these plans are developed.”

Humphreys added that 100,000 have visited Russborough House and its parklands in 2016.

Read: Denis O’Brien is to purchase a €2.5 million painting and donate it to the state >

More: Government delays the sale of Pearse’s last surrender letter >