Locals Hail Victory Over IPAS Centre at Historic Estate
Campaigners celebrate blocking of accommodation center at 300-year-old mansion, advocating for its restoration as a hotel.
A group of local residents has successfully prevented the establishment of an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre at Dundrum Manor House, a 300-year-old estate in Co. Tipperary. The campaigners are now calling for the historic property, which has received substantial state funding, to be brought to market for restoration as a hotel.
Photographs have revealed the dilapidated state of the interior of the protected mansion, which is reportedly being used for storage by its operators. These operators have received over €20 million in state funding.
Ger Crosse, a member of the local heritage group, stated that the property "was generating the cash from the Government" and that "It paid to neglect the property."
The site, which initially opened as a hotel in 1981 and ceased operations in August 2025, leading to 48 job losses, is seen by the heritage group as a prime candidate for restoration. Crosse believes the property should be made available on the open market and revitalized as a hotel.
In the summer of 2024, approximately 50 international protection applicants were initially housed at the estate. However, following the local campaign, plans for the IPAS centre were blocked.
The heritage group asserts that the only way to safeguard the historic property from future misuse is to place it on the open market and ensure its restoration. They emphasize the potential of Dundrum Manor House to be re-established as a significant hospitality venue, preserving its heritage while contributing to the local economy.