Altamont House is not currently open to the public, but the gardens are a major attraction not only locally but nationally.

The house has undergone a series of remedial works under OPW’s tenure, mainly to ensure the fabric is weathertight and that the internal structure retains stability.

While the gardens are largely in excellent order, visitor numbers, staffing requirements and the condition of the house and outbuildings are such that a remedial programme of conservation related works are required.

Parking provision and vehicular access and egress is over-stretched, accessibility for disabled and elderly visitors merits improvement, sanitary facilities for both staff and visitors need improvement and educational and refreshment facilities are not provided for. Finally, while the main body of the house is now weather-tight and protected from the elements, the outbuildings are in a dilapidated condition and the two main courtyards are overgrown and dilapidated.

To bring the main house into public accessible use at upper ground level as a visitor facility we propose exhibition and interpretative display focussing upon life in such houses following independence in 1922, a similar display in the sitting room area looking at the period between 1900 and 1920 prior to independence, a similar display in the dining room focussing upon Dawson Borrers period of occupancy and beyond  between 1850s and 1890 and finally looking at earlier genesis and life of the house up to 1850 in the library.

It is proposed that a part of the lower ground should be accessible to the public to look at life below stairs and that a separate part of the lower ground should accommodate additional seminar facilities.

At first floor it is suggested that consideration should be given the use of a part of the space as visitor accommodation and offices but also possibly to house a display on the subject of family life in such houses with a particular focus upon the lives of children in such houses.

A significant enhancement of the facilities for visitors to the gardens is also proposed including:

• New shop, sanitary facilities and visitor hub with new exit from garden to be erected
• New covered multifunctional space in stable yard to be erected
• Restoration and structural repair works to both existing courtyards; Refurbishment of existing buildings into exhibition, workshop, café and ancillary areas
• Granary building in courtyard 1 to be refurbished to accommodate additional offices and administrative areas adjacent to the garden entrance.
• Secondary garden exit route through the garden centre, along the memorial herbaceous border to improve visitor flow and throughput
• Reinstatement of the original layout of the path system in the walled garden and opening up of the whole walled garden to the public in the future
• Enhanced visitor activities in the paddock and walled garden areas to accommodate lawn games and garden events. Paddock to be opened up as outdoor event area with separate machinery access route
• Provision of small single function child friendly spaces within woodland clearings avoiding use of play structures while emphasising educational activities relating to flora and fauna
  
  

These proposals will allow for the ongoing and sustainable use of Altamont and while making it more accessible to visitors, will also enable the conservation of the house and gardens for many years.