Airbnb fund gives helping hand to historic home in County Roscommon
Frybrook House in Boyle is expected to open as an historic guesthouse in 2024.
An historic property in Boyle has been awarded €2,500 through Historic Houses of Ireland and Airbnb’s Capacity Awards to help encourage tourism.
The funding has been awarded to Frybrook House to help prepare the house to welcome visitors and help enhance Roscommon’s tourism offering. Earlier this year, Airbnb partnered with Historic Houses of Ireland to help support the conservation of heritage homes and sites in Ireland.
The partnership established the Capacity Awards, a fund available to members of Historic Houses of Ireland to support the development, maintenance and restoration of these important properties. The funding will support the owners in preparing their historic homes for the tourism market.
Frybrook House in Boyle was among the three winners of the Airbnb Capacity Awards alongside Richmond House, Fermoy in Cork and The Gatekeeper’s Lodge at Whitewood House, Nobber in Meath.
Applications were received and assessed by a panel consisting of Historic Houses of Ireland and Airbnb representatives. Each of these successful properties received the Capacity Award, which consisted of €2,500 to assist with preparing the property for the tourism market.
Frybrook House, situated in the heart of Boyle, lay empty for a number of years before being acquired by its current owners, Joan Collier, Ulrich Bals and Belinda Collier in 2018. They have invested considerably in the restoration of the property.
The Capacity Award has been awarded to help the owners ensure the property is compliant with fire safety regulations, before their doors can open as an historic guesthouse in 2024. The local community has expressed strong support for Frybrook opening to guests as a vital part of the local tourism infrastructure.
Joan Collier, owner of Frybrook House, said: “Our passion over the last five years was to bring Frybrook House back to where it should be, reflecting its history and Georgian elegance. Finally, we will be ready to share its beauty and history with our guests in March 2024.”
Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Airbnb explained that “Ireland’s historic houses offer a depth of history and add uniqueness to the local tourism offer. Careful restoration of these historical homes provides additional tourism accommodation which is badly needed in some areas. The opening of Frybrook House to guests in 2024 will provide a welcome boost to tourism in Boyle and beyond.”
Thomas Cosby, Chairman of Historic Houses of Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Airbnb to bring much needed resources and expertise to our members. Historic houses often form a vital part of their communities, whether through employment, as part of the local tourism ecosystem, or as a community and arts venue. We are excited to do our part in bringing these properties back to their original glory.”
