“It is highly unusual to find additional hidden treasures in heritage properties.”
Johnstown Castle in County Wexford has been undergoing restoration works over the last few years, which led to the discovery of a secret room this week, believed to have gone unnoticed for decades.
The castle has been standing for over 800 years and the Irish Heritage Trust has been overseeing the castle’s conservation process. The secret room they discovered is only accessible by boat, and was found after contractors broke through a wall.
"This is a really incredible discovery," Irish Heritage Trust CEO Anne O'Donoghue told @ConorKane0909 @rte.
Secret room found in 800-year-old Johnstown Castle https://t.co/EhNsWXTdOQ
— Irish Heritage Trust (@IrHeritageTrust) August 16, 2023
In conversation with RTÉ News, Irish Heritage Trust CEO Anne O’Donoghue said this of the discovery:
“This is a really incredible discovery.
“It is highly unusual to find additional hidden treasures in heritage properties and this is the second time that this has happened at Johnstown Castle following our discovery of a secret room under the tower at the lake just last year.
“The Trust’s mission is to care for the properties and work towards making them financially sustainable, this is done through a number of different ways, such as, welcoming visitors to our sites, philanthropy and competitive grants. In the case of the windows here in Johnstown Castle the work are been completed with support from the Department of Heritage.”
Johnstown Castle opened for guided tours for the first time in summer 2019. The lake walks and gardens have long been a tourist attraction for anyone visiting Wexford.
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Header image via Getty
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