"Peek" of Day: A secret room in the 800-year-old Johnstown Castle in County Wexford has been discovered for the first time by a joiner carrying out conservation works. Johnstown Castle Estate Museum & Gardens in Wexford is one of the properties in the care of the Irish Heritage Trust and it has undergone substantial conservation and restoration works over the last five years. In April of this year renovation works were completed on the never before seen East Wing of the castle. But that was not the end of the tale. A brand-new discovery was made on Sunday, August 13 by a joiner who was working on window conservation in the castle. The contractors from National Gates and Joinery Company broke through a section of wall only to uncover a hidden room. Anne O'Donoghue, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust said: “This is a really incredible discovery. It is highly unusual to find additional hidden treasures in heritage properties and this is the second time that this has happened at Johnstown Castle following our discovery of a secret room under the tower at the lake just last year." The Irish Heritage Trust will now assess the room to see how it can unlock the potential of the new space and how it can be used to the benefit of the castle and visitor experience. More at www.johnstowncastle.ie.
