Historic Kildare house being considered for international refugees

A historic Kildare mansion which was once a safe house for Eamon DeValera is being considered to accommodate refugees, it has been confirmed.

Firmount House outside Clane, which also operated as a military hospital during the First World War, is currently being assessed by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).

A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said: "IPAS is responding to an offer of accommodation made in respect of Firmount House, Clane.

"A full assessment of the property is underway at present, and, if a contract is agreed, it is hoped that this property can be brought into use in the near future."

IPAS said it is providing accommodation to 20,485 people seeking refuge in Ireland and added that "since January 2022 has brought 143 properties into use to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated."

Dating to the 1700s, Firmount House sits on seven acres and once belonged to the Warburton family who also owned Straffan House which is now the five-star hotel and golf resort, the K Club.

It operated as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients until 1964.

It was later purchased by the Department of Defence and used as a control centre for nuclear tracking during the Cold War.

It was bought by private owners over ten years ago and in recent years has been used as a wedding venue and film location.

The property was put on the market in 2021 with a guide price of €1.6m.