'Historic Houses - An Autumn School'

From Surviving to Thriving: Practical Insights for a Vibrant Future in Irish Tourism for Privately-owned Historic Houses!

Join us on Wednesday, October 23rd for 'Historic Houses - An Autumn School', a gathering of thinkers, speakers, listeners and enthusiasts of Ireland's privately-owned built heritage. Be part of charting a course for a thriving future both at the centre of rural Irish tourism and as a compelling ambassador for Ireland Inc. All welcome! 

Hosted in collaboration with our partner Airbnb at glorious Burtown House in Co. Kildare, our inaugural Autumn School will invigorate big thinking around the future for Historic House tourism in Ireland.

Immerse yourself in a busy schedule of six practical yet inspiring panel talks! Put your questions during the Q&A sessions at the end of each one!

- BE OUR GUEST: hospitality in the 21st century: what guests want and how our houses can provide it

Award-winning food writer Kate Ryan in conversation with the Irish Examiner’s food and travel editor Jillian Bolger, hospitality learning and development specialist Karen Healy, and Ginger Aarons of Time Travel Tours.

- NATURE AND NURTURE: demystifying sustainable and environmental tourism and making it work for your house

Inspiring and practical insights from Carina Conyngham of Slane Castle, Jack Tenison of Lough Bawn Estate and Brian O'Toole of award-winning Wildacres Nature Reserve & Biodiversity Education Centre. Also on the panel will be circular economist, Dr Shirley Gallagher.

- A BANQUET OF IDEAS: how to get your house involved in the vital and vibrant Irish food and drink sector 

Get ready to be inspired as moderator Kate Ryan discusses what it takes with K Club Executive Chef Gary O'Hanlon, Bertha’s Revenge Gin maker Justin Green of Ballyvolane House,  and David Walsh-Kemmis who has turned his passion for craft beers into a successful business at Ballykilcavan farm and brewery. 

- FROM IDEAS TO EVENTS: how arts events large and small can transform your house’s reach and tap into Ireland’s thriving cultural scene  

MindField at Electric Picnic organiser Naoise Nunn, Richard Tyrone of Curraghmore House, home to Altogether Now, and Aoife Keogh of Whitestown House all bring complementary perspectives to this exciting subject.  

- BEYOND THE WALLS: Blurring real and perceived boundaries between houses and their communities.

Fionnuala Ardee of Killruddery House and Gardens talks fostering community engagement with Heritage Week organiser Ronan Healy and the OPW’s Head of National Monuments Mary Heffernan amongst others.
 

- OPENING THE GATES: land access for the general public - the modern answer to an age-old question.

Keep Ireland Open Chair Robert Dowds and Mark Hewlett of Castleacre Insurance will have insights aplenty for owners considering opening to the public together with their fellow guests.

On the evening of Tuesday, October 22nd, Historic Houses of Ireland is also be hosting a pre-event Gala Dinner for speakers and attendees at Burtown House's award-winning Green Barn restaurant.  An unmissable opportunity to mingle with likeminded heritage tourism enthusiasts and professionals.   HHI Members and Non-Members welcome!

Tickets for the dinner and conference are available to purchase both separately and as a package. Please select Member and Non-Member options as applicable when booking!

Looking forward to seeing you all at Burtown House! 

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