We are excited to announce the third Historic Houses of Ireland Autumn School Conference which will take place this year in Durhamstown Castle, Co. Meath on Wednesday, October 21st.

There will also be a networking dinner in Durhamstown Castle the night before with guests and speakers on Tuesday, October 20th beginning at 19.30.

After two fantastic years in Lisnavagh House and Burtown House we are very much looking forward to welcoming attendees to this year's conference focused on conservation, tourism, biodiversity and advocacy.

The Autumn School Conference brings together members, other heritage organisations and enthusiastic members of the public for a day of panels, workshops and networking.

This year for the first time we will have a series of hands on workshops alongside our regularly programmed panels.

Schedule:

9.30 Arrival

10.10 Official Opening- Minister of State for Nature Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O Sullivan

10.15 Opening Address- Historic Houses of Ireland Chairman Justin Green

10.30 PANEL Beyond the Hotel: Unique Stays and the Future of Heritage Tourism- Sponsored by Unique Irish Homes

Tourism Ireland CEO Alice Mansergh, chef and restauranteur Richard Corrigan, Ireland's Guide Founder Georgina Campbell and award winning international tourism consultant Professor Terry Stevens discuss Ireland's heritage destinations.

11.50 PANEL Caring for Heritage, Caring for Nature: Historic Houses and their Communities- Presented alongside Irish Wildlife Trust

Author Eoghan Daltun, Rewild Your Land founder Padraic Fogarty and presenter and educator Anja Murray on how biodiversity and the community are integral to the future of historic houses and estates. Moderated by Nature Advocacy Officer for the Irish Wildlife Trust Oisin O Neill.

11.50 WORKSHOP Living Traditions: Skills and Materials for Preservation- Sponsored by The 1772 Foundation

A brisk walk and talk around Durhamstown Castle and its yard buildings examining traditional skills and traditional materials with conservation expert and former All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Manager Tom Pollard. 

13.00 Buffet Lunch

14.00 PANEL From Preservation to Advocacy: Giving Voices to Historic Houses

Irish Tourism Industry Confederation CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Sarah Roller from Chatsworth & The Devonshire Group and CEO of Alliance for Insurance Reform Brian Hanley discuss how to advocate for reform. Moderated by Airbnb Director of Policy Strategy Velma Corcoran.

15.20 PANEL More than the Grant: Historic Houses and Conservation- Sponsored by the Irish Georgian Society

Moderated by Director of Sheridan Woods Architects Charlotte Sheridan and featuring Richard McLoughlin, Director of Lott's Architecture and Urbanism, Orla O Byrne, curator of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral as well as June Stuart of Kildrought House.

15.20 WORKSHOP Good Food, Great Brand

Cullen Allen, formerly of Cully and Sully, delivers a hands-on "three steps" of branding- how to get started, how to expand and world domination!

16.30 Conference End

We are very grateful to our sponsors for the Autumn School Conference: The The 1772 Foundation, Irish Georgian Society, Unique Irish Homes, Meath County Council, Ceangal- A Heritage Council Local Authority Programme and Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes.

It is going to be yet another stimulating and educational conference and we look forward to seeing you there!