Lissan Opens

Lissan House, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, has been officially opened to visitors.

Lissan House & Demesne Opening Times for 2012 ~

ESTATE
17 March to 30 September ~ Daily ~ 10am to 8pm
1 October to 16 March ~ Sat & Sun ~ 10am to 4pm

HOUSE TOURS
17 March to 30 June ~ Sat & Sun ~ 11am to 5pm
6 April to 15 April (Easter) ~ Daily ~ 11am to 5pm
1 July to 31 August ~ Daily ~ 11am to 5pm
1 September to 30 September ~ Sat & Sun ~ 11am to 5pm

Last admissions 1 hour before closing
Also open Northern Ireland Public & Bank Holidays
Pre-booked groups welcome all year round

Entry to the estate is £3 per vehicle and Gift Aid admission to the house for an adult is £4 (standard £3.60), for a child is £3 (standard £2.70) and a family Gift Aid admission is £12 (standard £10.90). 

Lissan was the seat of the Staples Baronets, whom I have written about here.
 
The 17th century country house on the banks of the Lissan River has been restored by Lissan House Trust (LHT) at a cost of £1.2 million and opened to the public as a new tourist attraction and heritage facility.

The NI Minister of Agriculture said:

"This restoration project is a prime example of why it was important to have a strand of funding within the Rural Development Programme for the conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage." 

"The work on Lissan House will preserve a part of the heritage of this area which stretches back some 400 years. As a significant tourist attraction it will also boost the local economy bringing visitors, tourists and schools to explore and enjoy the historic facility and its extensive grounds."

"The Directors of Lissan House Trust are to be congratulated on the realisation of their dream for the building. My own department's contribution, through the Rural Development Programme, is evidence of our long term commitment to this area and to rural development throughout [Northern Ireland]."

The renovation project involved internal and external restoration of the House and forms part of an overall £5 million redevelopment plan which will include renovation of the outbuilding creamery to create exhibition and gallery space, conference facilities and a cafe.