The historic Aughavanna Hostel in Co Wicklow, which was built as a barracks in response to the 1798 Rebellion, has closed and may be sold.
The decision was made because its owner, An Oige, has failed to secure funding for essential repairs.
Aughavanna Barracks was built between 1802 and 1804, one of six barracks and military roads to be constructed in mountainous regions of the county as a response to the rebellion, when many fugitives lived in the Wicklow Mountains.
In fact, Aughavanna was never needed as a barracks and later became a shooting lodge and retreat house used by Charles Stewart Parnell and later again by John Redmond, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party at Westminster.
Furniture from the house is now on view in Parnell's main home at Avondale, outside Rathdrum.
It was acquired by An Oige in 1941 and closed temporarily last January while An Oige sought £100,000 for repairs. However, the efforts were unsuccessful, and now the organisation says it may have to sell the hostel to somebody who can afford to restore it.
According to Ms Maire McDonnell, honorary secretary of An Oige, the hostelling movement does not have the money to carry out the extensive repairs.
An Oige had attempted to keep the hostel open with a hoarding around a crumbling tower, which had damaged the roof, but the fire authorities and An Oige's architect said the deteriorating condition made the whole hostel unsafe for use.
"We would like to keep the hostel open to the public as part of our shared heritage," said Ms McDonnell. "Aughavannagh is a vital accommodation link on the Wicklow Way route, and walkers from many lands have been disappointed by its closure. It would be a shame if it was now to be sold."