The new owners of Lissadell House were at the centre of a row yesterday over reduced access to the historic building.
Sligo County Council accused lawyers Mr Edward Walsh and his wife Ms Constance Cassidy of shutting off a public road to the grounds.
The couple denied this and insisted they had closed off only one of three entrances for the security and safety of their seven children.
The matter was raised at yesterday's council meeting by Mr Joe Leonard of Fine Gael.
The motion proposed that the council acknowledge "serious concerns" at the closure of a public roadway in Lissadell and would accordingly review the situation.
Labour councillor Mr Declan Bree described the move as "unacceptable". He said it was a strange manner for a landlord to repay the warm welcome from the people of Sligo.
Mr Roddy McGuinn of Fianna Fáil said Lissadell always belonged to the public.
Mayor Seán McManus of Sinn Féin said he regretted the move by the couple, who had said when they took over ownership that they wanted to work with the local community. He called on the couple to review their decision and to honour their commitment to the local people.
Last night the couple issued a statement denying any intent to block public access to their estate.
They said that since they moved in with their children in December they had both been working inside and outside Lissadell House in an effort to ensure it will be open to the public as soon as possible.
An initial target date in April wasn't possible because of the huge amount of work to be done.
The hope now was that it would be open at the beginning of June.
The statement added: "For the first time in nearly a century there are seven young children out and about in the grounds. We do not intend to keep the children locked in the house.
"A matter of serious concern to us as parents is that there has been a number of near misses involving our children and, indeed, other children visiting the estate involving speeding cars and caravans.
"Further, there has been a number of incidents at night-time where property has been damaged or interfered with."
The statement went on to pay tribute to the assistance given to the family by local representatives, particularly Mayor Seán McManus.