A nun whose parents donated Killarney House to the State has spoken for the first time since the historic building’s refurbishment. 
Sister Pauline McShain is the daughter of the multi-millionaire building contractor John McShain who found fame in the United States in the early part of the 20th century. After he and his wife died, the State took over ownership of the house which was allowed fall into disrepair. John McShain and his wife Mary acquired the former home of the Earls of Kenmare, on the edge of the National Park, in 1956. Upon the death of Mrs McShain in 1998, Killarney House passed into the ownership of the State but the building fell into neglect – at one stage, being occupied by squatters – until its 7 million euro restoration was announced five years ago. Killarney House and Gardens have now reopened on a limited basis. Sister Pauline McShain is the only child of John and Mary McShain. Six years ago, she told Radio Kerry News that she would not return to Kerry until the house is restored. Speaking from Philadelphia, Sr Polly says she always believed the refurbishment would happen. [audio_player src=”http://media.radiokerry.ie/mediamanager/embed/audio/57482/medium/”]
