Commenting on the award, Hannah McCloy, Visitor Experience Manager Mount Stewart said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This project will allow us to develop skills and understanding of conservation techniques for staff, volunteers and the local community which can only enhance this amazing place”.
Paul Mullan, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, NI added ‘We were delighted to play a small role in the amazing restoration project that the National Trust has been undertaking at Mount Stewart. As with many traditional heritage skills, stone conservation and maintenance skills are in short supply in NI and HLF has committed a range of funding to try and address this shortage.
‘The National Trust has come up with an imaginative project to allow people to learn from their stone floor restoration work. The project will give up to 100 local crafts people and volunteers an opportunity to better understand heritage stone conservation by providing hands on sessions to improve their professional skills. It is thanks to National Lottery players that we can award funding to support these fascinating projects.’