Home letting home lettings agency Airbnb has announced a partnership with Historic Houses of Ireland to fund historic homes for tourism letting and which it says will support local heritage and secure the future of historic Irish homes.
Under the scheme Airbnb will contribute to a fund managed by Historic Houses of Ireland, which will help members generate income for the maintenance and promotion of heritage properties.
The announcement was made by Hannah Flynn, the host of Roundwood House in Mountrath, County Laois, who expressed her excitement about the estate and how guests from around the world are attracted to its beauty. She said that additional income generated from hosting guests helps maintain the historical aspects of the property and also contributes to the local community by supporting local businesses.
As part of this collaboration between Airbnb and Historic Houses of Ireland, the newly established Capacity Awards fund that will assist Historic Houses of Ireland members in developing, maintaining, and restoring properties.
Recipients of the fund will also receive expert guidance and workshops from Airbnb to help them maximize their properties’ potential on the platform.
Thomas Cosby, Chairman of Historic Houses of Ireland, said the partnership will enable more members to open their properties to tourism, boosting local spending and employment in their communities.
Amanda Cupples, Country Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb said the joint efforts of Airbnb and Historic Houses of Ireland “will contribute to the restoration, preservation, and promotion of these extraordinary sites across the country, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed to local communities and economies.”
Research from Oxford Economics indicates that Airbnb-related economic activity in Dublin was valued at €150m in 2022. Activity in South-West counties of Kerry and Cork were valued at over €110m, 20pc of the total contribution.
