The history of the Kenmare family and its role in the development of tourism in Killarney will form part of the exhibition halls resulting from the €7 million restoration of Killarney House, the town council heard at its monthly meeting this week.
Work is to begin soon on restoring the vast pleasure gardens which once surrounded the house.
It will include the renewal of a cherry tree walk, and the opening up of lake views, said Pat Dawson, regional manager with the National Parks and Wildlife service. New access just for pedestrians will also be created.
The early 18th-century house, which was part of a chateau-style complex, and was once home to the earls of Kenmare, was given to the State by the McShain family in 1998.
Last year a €4.2 million spend was announced under the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Capital Investment programme.
The house is to be an interpretive centre for the 10,300 hectare Killarney National Park – a Unesco biosphere reserve that will be part of a worldwide network of parks, as well as showcase of the work of the parks.