Irish Georgian Society Review - 2019

2019

Design by Aad

The vision of the Irish Georgian Society is to conserve, protect and foster an interest and a respect for Ireland’s architectural heritage and decorative arts. www.igs.ie

Irish Georgian Society City Assembly House 58 South William Street Dublin 2 Ireland D02 X751

Irish Georgian Society 858 West Armitage Avenue Suite 286 Chicago, IL 60614 USA

T + 353 1 679 8675 E info@igs.ie

T + 1 312 961 3860 E info@irishgeorgiansociety.com

The Irish Georgian Society’s conservation programmes and activities are funded through the generous support of our members and private donors. As the Society has charitable status in Ireland

Irish Georgian Foundation: CHY (6372), the UK (Irish Georgian Trust: Chy. no. 3092084), and in the USA (Irish Georgian Society Inc.), donations are eligible for tax relief.

Front Cover Detail from: Leixlip Castle on the River Liffey, 1795, Jonathan Fisher. (Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland).

In this issue Regulars

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President’s Letter Sir David Davies

Reflections on the Society’s activities over the past year

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Heritage Update Donough Cahill/Amy Hastings

An overview of the activities undertaken by the Architectural Conservation and Planning Committee

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Conservation Grants Scheme Ashleigh Murray

With the assistance of igs London, a number of worthy projects received funding in 2019 to maintain their structures

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Young Irish Georgians Zoë Coleman

A bumper year of yig events provides inspiration to continue the next generation of Georgians

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Conservation Education Programme Emmeline Henderson

Activities undertaken as part of the Society’s Conservation Education Programme 39

Events Round-Up Róisín Lambe

Interesting home and overseas members’ events, outings, walks and talks over the past year 46

Editors Zoë Coleman, Letitia Pollard Advertising Sales Zoë Coleman

Chapter Reports Birr/Midlands Elizabeth Fogarty Limerick Ailish Drake Cork Kevin Hurley igs London Stuart Blakley igs Inc. Michael G. Kerrigan

Editorial Committee Donough Cahill Zoë Coleman Rose Mary Craig Letitia Pollard

Features

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IGS Conservation and Original Drawing Awards Livia Hurley

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Leixlip Castle Boathouse Donough Cahill

Its restoration in honour of Desmond Guinness 14

Conservation without Frontiers Primrose Wilson

The third cross-border summer school looked at the survival and revival of living towns & villages in Cavan and Fermanagh

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The Entire Spectrum of Ireland's Post-Medieval Architecture William Laffan

21 years of Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies

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Doneraile Court Christopher Moore

After a stop-start beginning, Doneraile Court reopens its doors

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Capard House, Laois and the varying use of an Irish country house and demesne Ciaran Reilly

Microcosm of social history: a house and its visitors

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Rich Specimens of Architectural Beauty William Laffan

Preview of a forthcoming book on the Irish Country House

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Early Irish Georgians Peter Verity

A longtime igs supporter recalls the halcyon early days of the Society

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President’s letter

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Heritage Update

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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Sir David Davies

One of the most exciting stories in conservation this year has been the re-opening of Doneraile Court, Co. Cork, by the Office of Public Works following a major refurbishment programme.

Lying at the heart of a magnificent historic landscape, Doneraile was built in the 1720s to the design of Isaac Rothery for Arthur St Leger, first Viscount Doneraile.

The house faced a bleak future in the late 1960s after it was acquired by the State and was rapidly falling into irrecoverable ruin until the intervention of the Irish Georgian Society in 1976.

At that time the Society acquired the house on lease and through the efforts of Desmond Guinness, Arthur Montgomery and others, it saw a brief revival during which time it was furnished and opened for public access. In the 1990s it reverted to the State under the ownership of the opw though from that time until now its doors have been closed. It has never been satisfactorily explained why or how this was allowed to happen. However, new and more proactive thinking at the opw led to the reopening this summer of this Cork Georgian gem. The contributions made by the igs towards this effort are explored in this issue by Christopher Moore, who has been so instrumental in re-establishing Castletown. This autumn we were delighted to welcome him as a new member of the board of the Irish Georgian Foundation.

The Society is truly starting to feel at home in the City Assembly House following the completion of restoration works last year. The Knight of Glin Exhibition Room has proven a great boon to our education programmes having hosted our members’ lectures series, as well as the seminars, conferences and study days organised through our Conservation Education Programme.

It has also seen exhibitions, musical performances and book launches, while commercial lettings have contributed towards running costs.

I take such delight in visiting the building and seeing the wonderful

collection of Irish portraits in the stairhall on loan from Pat Murray and the display of country house drawings by John Nankivell which we have accessioned into the Society’s permanent collection of art and furniture. Thank you Pat for your contribution and although you will be stepping down from the board of the igf after six generous years, I know we will not be losing you.

Through the great generosity of supporters in the United States, we are already planning ahead for exhibitions in 2020 and 2021. These will explore themes relating to Irish country house gardens and will be directed by Robert O’Byrne.

I am glad to report that the 2020 show will be dedicated to newly commissioned watercolours and will feature works from Lesley Fennell, Andrea Jameson, Maria Levinge and Alison Rosse. This will be a selling exhibition with the aim of raising funds to help the work of the Society, so do make a note in your diary for the months of May and June!

This year I was delighted to announce the appointment of six members to the newly formed Irish Georgian Society President’s Circle – Gilbert Butler, Hon. Desmond Guinness, Della Howard, Fred Krehbiel, Dr Edward McParland and Sheila O’Malley-Fuchs.

This body was created in 2018 through the igs Constitution with the purpose of recognising those who have given esteemed service and/or support to the Society. It is a great reflection on the work of the igs over 60 years that the founding members of the President’s Circle so readily accepted invitations to join. In parallel to this we have established a President’s Circle posthumous award for those who are no longer with us. Through their respective families, this has allowed us to recognise the Knight of Glin and Mary Bryan for the instrumental roles they both played over many years, and for the close relationship they had with so many of us.

Lastly, I wish to remember the late Dr John Maiben Gilmartin, President of

the Friends of the National Collection of Ireland, who sadly passed away in July.

Dr Gilmartin was a long-time member of the Irish Georgian Society and, in his will, kindly left the igs items of antique furniture and funds to provide a monetary prize for an essay in art or architectural history. The details of this prize will be announced in coming months.

Led by its Chairperson, Amy Hastings, the Architectural Conservation and Planning Committee prepared a range of submissions on planning and policy matters over the last year, which are reviewed here.

The Committee relies on the tireless efforts of committee members David Armstrong, Sunni Goodson, David Johnston, Dr John Olley, Susan Roundtree, Michael Wall and Primrose Wilson, and the assistance of Donough Cahill, igs Executive Director, and Emmeline Henderson, igs Assistant Director and Conservation Manager.

The Architectural Conservation and Planning Committee also wishes to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Frank Keohane, who stepped down from the committee in early 2019, for his very many years of hard work and in particular, for his contribution to the pilot Buildings at Risk Register project and the review of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

Committee also monitors and makes submissions on planning and development issues in the city and county.

POLICY MATTERS Heritage Ireland 2030 Following the publication of the Heritage Ireland 2030 Public Consultation document by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Irish Georgian Society (by submission dated February 2019) welcomed the Government’s commitment to the publication of a new national plan for heritage in Ireland, the last National Heritage Plan having been published some 17 years previously in 2002.

In its submission to the Department, the Society recommended that: The Plan respond to the resolution agreed following the Irish Georgian Society conference Taken for Granted: Spending to save Ireland’s architectural heritage (22 November 2018), particularly with regard to the need to review and increase conservation grant schemes. The Society also called on the Department to fully implement the stated goal of Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018-2027 to support the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund; The provision of a more effective regulatory system to include for rationalisation of legislation and stronger and better resourced enforcement be an action of the Plan; It would be an objective of the plan to devise policies and actions to direct resources to safeguard buildings which are most at risk of loss of significance through decay, abandonment and potentially damaging development; and any actions set out in the final

Heritage Ireland 2030 are clear, specific and capable of measurement against identified criteria and targets to ensure that success in implementation can be monitored.

The Department is in the process of reviewing all submission made during the public consultation process and the final Heritage Plan has yet to be published.

Climate Change Adaptation Sectoral Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage Public Consultation In May 2019, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht launched a public consultation on the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Sectoral Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage. As part of its submission to the Department, the Irish Georgian Society noted Goal 1 Objective 1 of the Draft Plan, which seeks to “Establish a baseline for heritage resources from which change can be measured”, but drew attention to the absence of any actions requiring that surveys envisaged under existing policy or already commenced be completed in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of the baseline of heritage resources. In particular, the Society emphasised the importance of completing the National Landscape Character Map and of completing and reviewing the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and the niah Survey of Historic Gardens. In addition to this, the Society called on the Department to include a commitment in the final plan to ensuring that Local

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HERITAGE UPDATE

Authorities be adequately resourced with suitably qualified conservation professionals and that funding for relevant grant schemes be improved.

The Society also stressed the need to support the re-use of the historic building stock and called on the Department to stress the role of the re-use of existing building stock in the avoidance of carbon emissions associated with the construction of new buildings within the final plan. The final Climate Change Adaptation Sectoral for Built and Archaeological Heritage had not been issued at the time of writing.

PLANNING MATTERS Dublin 3-4 Fownes Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 The buildings at Nos. 3-4 Fownes Street are described by Christine Casey in her 2005 publication, Dublin: The Buildings of Ireland, as being “the only surviving example in Dublin of this early C18 house type”. An application made in September 2018 proposed the change of use of the protected structures at No. 3-4 Fownes Street to 6 no. apartments and various works including the construction of a new fourth floor at roof level. The Society made a submission to Dublin City Council arguing that the application appeared to propose significant removal of original fabric and considerable change to the original plan form of these rare survivors in the city and would result in significant negative impacts on the architectural heritage value of the protected structures. The Society further submitted that the design of the proposed fourth floor extension made no attempt to respect or enhance the character and composition of Nos. 3-4 Fownes Street or any of the other protected structures on Fownes Street having regard to its scale, height, bulk or design. The proposed design of the extension would disrupt the roof profile of this early eighteenth century terrace and would appear jarring, visually obtrusive and grossly out of character with the fine grain facades of Nos. 3-4 Fownes Street at this visually prominent location. Dublin City Council refused permission for the proposed development on 16 November 2018.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

Herbert Park Conservation & Management Plan

Kilkenny

For some years, the igs has engaged with Dublin City Council in an effort to have the pergola, which was removed following damage by the heavy snow of 2010, reinstated. The Society wrote to Dublin City Council to express concern about this and the loss of further structures from the park and to query proposals for the relocation of other structures original to the 1911 design

by Ernest Chearle (e.g. the bandstand).

The Society met with Dublin City Council in May 2019 to discuss the loss of structures within the park; potential design approaches for a new pergola; and mechanisms, such as statutory designations, for the better protection of the park. Correspondence with Dublin City Council is ongoing.

The Society made a submission to Kilkenny County Council on proposals to alter and renovate The Tholsel, which was constructed in 1761 to replace the previous tholsel of 1579. The Society respectfully submitted that while the objectives of (a) protecting and enhancing the civic function of the building; (b) improving public access; (c) creating a tourist attraction; and (d) improving the presentation of the rear of the building were worthy, it was essential that the nature and extent of the work proposed is clearly set out and that the impacts of those works on the architectural heritage value and special interest of the Tholsel are fully assessed.

Kilkenny County Council approved the proposal on 17 June 2019.

No. 16 Harcourt Street and its associated mews, Dublin 2, a protected structure, and at Nos, 16-19 Montague Street, Dublin 2

Limerick

The Society made a submission to Dublin City Council arguing that an application for demolition of the mews to the rear of No. 16 Harcourt Street to allow for the development of a five-storey (plus plant) block accommodating various restaurant/café uses and a hostel, would result in a profound loss of architectural heritage and significant negative impacts on the architectural heritage value of neighbouring protected structures. The mews building is of architectural heritage importance both in its own right and as a feature within the curtilage and setting of the house at No. 16. The Society further submitted that the construction of a development of such considerable scale, bulk and height at close proximity to the rear facades protected structures at Nos. 15 and 16 Harcourt Street would undermine the traditional proportionate relationship in scale between these significant buildings and backland development at Montague Lane and would, therefore, be inconsistent with the policies and objectives of the Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022 and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Dublin City Council refused permission for the development on 20 February 2019, inter alia, on the grounds of the likely significant negative impact on architectural heritage. The decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Tholsel, High Street, Kilkenny

In late 2018 the igs Limerick Chapter made a submission to An Bord Pleanála regarding the proposed redevelopment of the ‘Opera Site’, which lies within Newtown Pery, the city’s Georgian core.

The redevelopment of this site was first proposed in 2005 since when the Society has had an interest in its potential to act as a catalyst for the regeneration and revitalisation of Georgian Limerick.

In doing so, the Society has cautioned against works that would detrimentally affect the historic fabric and character of the city and that of buildings which form part of the development site. In the case of the current proposals, the Society commended plans to conserve existing historic buildings which allows for both the conservation of the buildings individually but also recognises their importance to the remaining streetscape.

The Society also welcomes the library use proposed for the former Commercial Buildings (Town Hall) on Rutland Street.

However, the Society strongly objected to the proposal for a fourteen-storey building on the site. This would have a negative visual impact on the immediate area with its impact on the former Custom House (The Hunt Museum) of particular note. It would also impinge on views from key sites in the city including Thomond Bridge and Clancy Strand, King John’s Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral, St John’s Cathedral (in the distance), and the Court House. A decision is still pending on this proposal.

Proposed redevelopment of the Custom House site, Limerick City

Barry’s Cottage, Church View, Adare, Co. Limerick

THE SOCIETY ALSO MADE THE FOLLOWING SUBMISSIONS

A devastating fire in June 2015 severely damaged Barry’s Cottage as well as the adjacent two thatched cottages, which together have formed an iconic setpiece in the historic village of Adare.

The restoration of one of these cottages was since supported by the igs Conservation Grants Programme, which is aimed at providing financial assistance for conservation works to structures of significant architectural merit. Whilst also supportive in principle of the repair and refurbishment of the easternmost of these structures known as Barry’s Cottage as proposed by a planning application made in late 2018 to Limerick City and County Councils, the Society raised concerns regarding the potential impacts on the built heritage of the associated development proposals (e.g. the scale and design of the proposed extension; new window and door opes). The Planning Authority requested considerable further information, several items of which related to architectural heritage, in February 2019.

- The Bus Connects proposal for Dublin (see relevant article in this issue).

- To Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála in relation to a development proposing changes to Wilton Park.

- To Transport Infrastructure Ireland raising concerns about the assessment of the impact of the preferred route for the Metrolink.

- To Dublin City Council for a development at 39-42 Hill Street and 36a North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1.

- To Wexford County Council regarding the continued deterioration of the multi-tiered jardinière at Castlebridge House, Co. Wexford.

- The Limerick Chapter made a submission to Limerick City & County Councils regarding the significant impact the proposed ‘Opera Site Development’ would have on the character of the city.

- To Wicklow County Council regarding unauthorised development at the aoh Hall, Enniskerry.

- To Dublin City Council regarding the proposed demolition of two Victorian houses on Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4.

- To Kildare County Council in relation to a development proposal adjacent to Kildrought House, Celbridge.

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HERITAGE UPDATE

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Conservation Grants Scheme Ashleigh Murray

Proposal for Bus Connects threatens fabric and character of Dublin’s historic streetscapes Donough Cahill In its submission for the public consultation process for Bus Connects, the National Transport Authority’s (nta) proposals to reconfigure Dublin’s bus networks, the Irish Georgian Society criticised apparent proposals to remove original fabric from the historic built environment and remove street trees in architecturally sensitive areas.

The Society’s submission called for a comprehensive architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage assessment and a further public consultation process before a decision is reached on a Preferred Route Option.

Bus Connects was launched in 2017 by the nta with the aim of improving Dublin’s bus system and reducing journey times by an ambitious 20-30 minutes. The scheme proposes a series of dedicated corridors where buses would have priority and be developed in tandem with cycle lanes.

While recognising the potential positive gains to be achieved through enabling more sustainable forms of transport, the igs has faulted the nta for not providing sufficient information to allow for an assessment of the impact of proposed new routes on the historic built environment. Though the nta’s maps illustrate cases where the curtilage of protected structures and historic streetscapes are impinged upon, there is no accompanying discussion or assessment of how this will affect boundary walls and railings, gardens, and historic street furniture and paving.

In particular, the Society queried why the removal of original fabric from within the curtilage of protected structures or the removal of existing street trees would even be countenanced at locations where there is sufficient space to provide on-street car parking bays.

The Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities identifies the importance to the character of historic buildings of boundary features such as railings and gates. It also cautions against moving these noting that “it would not only make them liable to damage… but may also adversely alter the relationship between the structure and the features of its curtilage” (p. 194) The igs also took issue with the methodology used in selecting preferred route options. Of concern was an evident lack of field work undertaken in assessing the historic built environment. It would appear that desktop resources were used in place of on-site investigation and that this was limited to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the Record of Monuments and Places, and the Record of Protected Structures.

While undoubtedly valuable in their own right, these resources do not provide an exhaustive list of heritage structures and sites, and so potentially exclude sites of importance. The absence of a field survey of prospective routes possibly indicates why there has been no assessment of historic fabric to be removed, the significance of that fabric, and whether it will be re-instated.

The city-wide scale of the project would indicate the need for the nta to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the planning process. Such an exercise would normally require an exploration of alternative options which in this case should entail an assessment of different routes to those that have been chosen.

However, the Society argued that a desktop review of heritage designations within the study area is not sufficient to inform a meaningful consideration of alternative options.

The Society also expressed considerable misgivings about the impact of Bus Connects on trees in gardens and lining the streets along its routes. Whilst the information brochures indicated the number of trees to be retained, only a general indication is given to the number to be removed rather than to their location. On the ucd to City Centre Location alone, approximately 160 trees are proposed for removal which is of particular concern as this route runs along sensitive historic streets. Loss of trees has the potential to result in significant adverse impacts on historic streets.

The Irish Georgian Society called for the nta to fully assess the impact on Dublin’s heritage before reaching a decision on any Preferred Route Options and that these findings are put out for further public consultation. In certain cases it has already amended its initial proposals which indicates a willingness to take on board observations received.

It is hoped that this capacity for change will also apply to sensitive heritage buildings and streetscapes.

Baggot St Lower, Dublin

St. Catherine's Church, Thomas Street, Dublin

The igs is delighted to announce that we have completed the sixth year of the Conservation Grants Scheme, which has been funded by igs London since 2014. Although the original intention was to run the scheme for four years, its great importance is very much recognised and London continues to strive to extend it, subject to available funds. Up to €50,000 is available each year and this year’s funding was distributed among nine successful projects, which ranged from small landmark structures to country houses.

We are pleased to support a folly that forms part of the landscaped demesne of Ballycumber House, Co. Offaly. The house was originally built as a castle in 1627 but was subsequently remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has

been suggested that John Warneford Armstrong (1770—1858), who famously betrayed the Sheares brothers in 1798, erected the folly in c. 1830; however, no documentary evidence survives and it may be earlier. The folly is built on high ground within a designed, naturalised landscape. It is a curious structure since it is circular in plan with soaring buttress, which are perhaps reminiscent of great cathedrals seen on distant shores. As the folly is deteriorating, it requires the consolidation of the wall heads and the crowns of the buttresses.

This year, a number of churches are being assisted. St. Kevin’s Church in Harrington Street, Dublin, was completed in 1872 to the designs of Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875) son of the famous Augustus Pugin,

responsible for the interiors of the Palace of Westminster - and his partner the Irish architect George C. Ashlin (1837-1921). The ceilings and walls were originally decorated with a stencilled scheme by Ashlin but this was covered in the 20th century with non-breathable paint. Works have already begun to restore this beautiful decorative feature and funding will aid the next phase of these works.

The London Young Irish Georgians (yigs) also raised additional funds for the building.

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CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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01 St Paul’s ‘French Church’, Portarlington, Co. Laois 02 The restoration of St Paul’s windows 03 Ballyarthur, Co. Wicklow with recently restored side elevation, grant aided in 2018 by the Society 04 Ballycumber folly, Co. Offaly (image courtesy of Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society) 05 Jamesbrook Hall, Midleton, Co. Cork 06 Interior of Ballyarthur, Co. Wicklow, the restoration of which is being supported by the Society in 2019 07 Panel prior to restoration from Our Lady's Chapel at St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin

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St Paul’s ‘French Church’ in Portarlington, Co. Laois, was founded

by French Huguenots in 1698. In the mid-19th century the original simple hall was enlarged with a cruciform plan and a tower; repair works are required to several associated cast-iron windows. St Catherine’s Church in Thomas Street, Dublin, was designed in the 1760s by the Irish architect John Smyth (d.1775). At the centre of this granite building are four Doric columns supporting a pediment, while a clock decorates the adjacent bell tower.

The clock, which has not worked for many years, is being restored and we are supporting the restoration of the clock face.

At the Royal and Prior School in Raphoe, Co. Donegal, we are aiding the production of a Conservation Report for a vacant house that was built in c.1850.

Undertaking initial investigations and assessments of historic buildings is vital before any works take place, and this report which will establish the significance of the building and inform the conservation approach.

We are supporting vital window repairs at two houses, thereby providing necessary protection

from water ingress which can be detrimental to historic buildings.

Jamesbrook Hall, Midleton, Co. Cork, is a complex site as the main house was built in c.1780 but it was attached to an existing c.1675 house, while in 1820-1830 a collection of cottages, a coach house and stables were erected to the rear. Two bow windows serving the c.1780 house are being repaired. Temple House, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, is a mansion that was built in c.1820 but it was substantially extended and embellished in c.1864.

The sash windows to the rear of the house, overlooking the central courtyard, are in very poor condition and are in urgent need of repair.

Following successful grant aiding last year, we are pleased to provide additional support to two early houses. Myrtle Grove, Youghal, Co. Cork, is a rare example of an unfortified 16th-century Irish house.

Last year involved the repair of an oriel window that faces the medieval St Mary’s Collegiate Church and is where Sir Edmund Spenser is said to have written The Faerie Queen. Works continue with the repair of the firstfloor windows of the main elevation.

The c. 1680 former hunting lodge of Ballyarthur, Ballanagh, Co. Wicklow, required extensive repair works to a gable wall, which have been successfully undertaken. However, the gable wall had experienced extensive water ingress over the years, which caused damage to interior decorative plasterwork.

The next phase of works is the repair and reinstatement, where required, of this important decorative feature.

As demonstrated above, there are a variety of issues that face owners of historic buildings, often resulting in financial pressures, and this important scheme helps owners to fund essential works for the continued protection of these historic assets. There is a range of structures that will benefit from our support, including a folly, residential buildings, and churches. We would therefore, like to thank all our igs London members for making this year’s scheme possible and we will aim to extend it beyond 2019, subject to available funding, to continue this particularly worthy cause.

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IGS Conservation and Original Drawing Awards

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

Livia Hurley

01 Swiss Cottage, Co. Tipperary 02 Tubbrid Tower House, Kilkenny 03 3 Henrietta Street, Dublin 04 Boyce Almhouses, Co. Carlow

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The winners of the Irish Georgian Society’s 2019 Architectural Conservation Award and Original Drawing Award were announced by Livia Hurley, Chair of the awards jury, and Michael Wall, Chair of the Irish Georgian Foundation, at a well-attended ceremony at the City Assembly House on Wednesday 9th October. The awards were launched in 2009 and are open to Irish architects or architectural practices, building surveyors, contractors, engineers and other professionals involved in the conservation of historic buildings on the whole island of Ireland. Their purpose is to encourage excellence in the area of conservation and to celebrate those conservation professionals and practitioners responsible for projects of merit.

Over the last ten years, candidates for an award have varied very widely in their type and function, as well as in their location. The short-listed projects this year ranged from the restoration of nineteenth-century almshouses in Tallow, county Waterford for social housing, to the preservation of the folly O’Brien’s Column in Liscannor, county Clare; and from the conservation of the eccentric Swiss Cottage at Lough Rynn, county Leitrim to the

restoration and repurposing of two early eighteenth-century townhouses on Henrietta Street in Dublin city.

The immense effort and commitment shown every year by all parties engaged in these projects is hugely inspiring, and illustrates the tenacious approach that is underpinning the protection of the historic fabric of our country in a sometimes hostile climate, where due consideration and support of our built heritage is not always provided. All of the projects celebrate the traditional crafts crucial to a successful outcome, as well as demonstrating the honed skills and knowledge of those involved.

When climate change and the threat to our environment is at a critical moment, it was encouraging too that the emphasis on the repair and reuse of historic structures was very evident, as was the aspiration for their future use and their sustainability.

It is clear that great endeavour is being undertaken across the island in very challenging times.

This year there was an additional prize given in honour of Mary Bryan (former Chair of the jury and board member of the foundation) which recognises excellence in the repair and conservation of buildings of special architectural interest.

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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Leixlip Castle Boathouse A restoration dedicated to Desmond Guinness Donough Cahill

A mid to late eighteenth-century boathouse picturesquely located in the grounds of Leixlip Castle, Co. Kildare, is currently the subject of a major restoration programme that is being dedicated to Desmond Guinness and led by his wife Penny.

The boathouse lies next to woodlands at the confluence of the Rivers Liffey and Rye, close to where the much painted Salmon Leap once stood. The structure is of two parts: a cavernous space at water level in which a boat would have been housed, and above this a space that might have been used as viewing platform or perhaps a tea-room.

The structure is topped by a copperclad dome and a tall, hexagonal chimneystack.

From Leixlip Castle, the boat house is approached down a steeply inclined path that opens out to a clearing on reaching the river bank.

A flight of carved stone steps rises to a pedimented brick-lined doorway though the door has long been removed. Inside is a hexagonal room with a brick-vaulted ceiling and stone-flags on the floor. A hearth lies directly across from the doorway and three window openings frame views out over the rivers; the sashes no longer survive and a fourth window has been blocked up.

The landscape around the boathouse has changed significantly over time. The once open area between the river and Leixlip Castle high above are now cloaked with trees changing the relationship between the two. Most significantly has been the effect of a hydro-electric dam upstream which reduced water levels and sadly resulted in the loss of the Salmon Leap. A direct consequence of this is that the boathouse now stands proud of the water. In recent years a community effort has seen the development of a small public park directly across the river from the boathouse which is linked to the centre of Leixlip town. The Tidy Towns Committee involved in this park was one of the first to champion the restoration of the boathouse.

Conservation works have been undertaken in two phases. The first of these was completed in 2018 and saw significant repairs to brick and stone work to the parapet walls and window openings, and repairs using limecrete to the dome roof and re-instating a copper dome.

The second phase started in the summer of 2019. Externally this saw the fabrication of handmade bricks to replace degraded bricks in the door pediment and window surrounds, the repair and cleaning of the limestone steps and the repair

of the boathouse vault. Internally, works included repairs to the domed ceiling, building up internal brickwork, and the replacement of missing flagstones. It was also necessary to remove two trees that had grown from the structure. It is anticipated that these works will be completed soon after this magazine goes to press.

The restoration of the Leixlip castle boathouse will ensure the survival of this architecturally significant Georgian gem well into the future; it will also enhance the distinctive character of an historic picturesque landscape. Of particular significance for all those involved is its dedication to Desmond Guinness and the support this has attracted from his friends and supporters in the Irish Georgian Society.

Conservation Architect Laura Bowen mriai, mubc Contractor Nolans Group Sponsors igs Inc (usa), igs London, igs London yigs, Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust, The Heritage Council, Kildare County Council, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Built Heritage Investment Scheme, Jerry Healy, The Traditional Lime Company  

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01 The boathouse at Leixlip Castle, before commencement of conservation works 02 The limestone steps leading to pedimented door opening, currently undergoing restoration works at time of publication 03 The boathouse with a new copper clad roof and parapet brickwork

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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Conservation Without Frontiers Survival & Revival: Living Towns & Villages In Cavan & Fermanagh Primrose Wilson

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01 Alistair Rowan at Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh (Image courtesy of Ian Lennon) 02 Students gathered at Cole’s Monument (1845-57) in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh 03 Miriam Delaney, co-curator of Free Market at the Venice Biennale, presenting in Enniskillen Presbyterian Church 04 Students gathered outside Cavan’s Masonic Hall for the second day of the summer school

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A summer school is the best way of engaging heritage professionals with students and the general membership and sharing our passion for living, breathing, historic structures! In June 2019 the Irish Georgian Society and Ulster Architectural Heritage organised their third bi-annual Summer School – this time it was held in the border counties of Cavan and Fermanagh. This initiative had its genesis at meetings held in 2014 in Dublin and Hillsborough between the Boards of both organisations. We were seeking ways of working together to promote Ireland’s built heritage and to engage with wider audiences.

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When a joint north/south Summer School was suggested, at the time I was Vice Chair of both organisations and I was invited to chair the steering committee. Kevin Mulligan’s excellent book Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster embracing Armagh, Cavan and Monaghan made him an ideal person to be the Summer School Director. It was an inspired choice and he directed subsequent events in North-West Ulster (2017) and this year in Cavan and Fermanagh.

Theme of the Summer School Focusing on the decline of our rural towns and villages in 2019 was timely as it followed the 2018 Venice Biennale theme of 'Free Space', where the Irish pavilion examined the particular character of market towns and villages under the title

'Free Market'. At a time when climate change is much discussed and the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg is frequently in the news, it is important to remember the role our historic buildings play in mitigating it.

According to a study by the Building Research Establishment ‘To demolish a Victorian terraced house is to throw away enough embodied energy to drive a car around the world five times.

None of it is wasted if the building is refurbished.’ (Heritage Counts. English Heritage, 2004). This comment set the scene for many of the papers given in the course of Summer School including Philip Crowe’s on ‘Incentives for the reuse of vacant buildings in town centres: a European perspective’ and Neil Galway’s on ‘Diagnosing the health of Irish towns’. Miriam Delaney spoke on

the Free Market project highlighting the heritage and character of market places in Irish towns and showing how they might be reclaimed for their communities.

Day One in County Fermanagh On 20 June we met in Enniskillen and after Alistair Rowan and Marcus Patton set the scene on the historic buildings in the county and the town we set out to explore.

Our walking tour encompassed much including Enniskillen Castle, the main street and the police barracks. Access to this complex, unless you have broken the law or work there, is normally impossible so we were privileged to be allowed in and, most importantly, allowed out afterwards! After refreshments in a historic hostelry we left for

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CONSERVATION WITHOUT FRONTIERS SURVIVAL & REVIVAL

Florencecourt. One of the hallmarks of the summer schools is interaction between students, speakers and delegates. Tours of the historic building, with heated discussion on its eclectic façade, followed by refreshments and plenty of good food was just what was required to make for a convivial evening!

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05 Walking tour of Belturbet market village, Co. Cavan 06 Mid-century tiled entrance to shop in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan 07 Visit to Kilmore See House (1830-40) on the final day of the summer school

Day Two in County Cavan On 21 June we assembled in Cavan’s Masonic Hall where Kevin Mulligan and Michael O’Neill set the scene for the day’s visits by outlining the history and heritage of the county.

Bronagh Lanigan and Sinead Hughes explained the progress being made on designating architectural conservation areas in the county and then Romy Kanitz outlined the project to conserve Cavan Town Hall. Writing about her experiences of the summer school for the igs website,Viktoria Hevesi, one of the student attendees, described how Romy did this by outlining ‘not only its theory, but the actual practical working process which they undertook in the refurbishment of Cavan Town Hall, elaborating on the challenges and the decision factors which informed each step of the project. Conservation works can often bring about different corporate structures and cultures, where the involvement of multiple organizations such as consultants, contractors and suppliers are assembled as a team. Romy highlighted the most important factors in their process and perhaps a lesson for all, which was strong communication and organisation skills’.

Though the Town Hall was still a building site, we visited it and other historic buildings on our walkabout after lunch in Cavan town. Then we boarded buses to visit Killeshandra, Belturbet, Cootehill, Butlersbridge and Bailieborough. In these villages there was an opportunity to see the issues facing small towns but also to visit Rath Church and see the excellent conservation work on site. In Cootehill we were shown around a bank building converted for residential use.

Our day concluded at Ballyhaise where everyone participated in Kevin’s pub quiz. As ever this proved to be great fun – the winning team demonstrated that knowing all about dinosaurs was just as useful as an intimate knowledge of building terminology!

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Twenty free places were offered to students from universities and colleges in Ireland and the UK – they came from all parts including the north of Scotland, Cambridge, Dublin, Limerick and Belfast.

They stayed together in cottages at Tully Mill, near Florencecourt.

Their participation and engagement was central to the event and they were great fun. Afterwards it was interesting to see the reaction of students to the Summer School – much of it on social media. Charlotte Gregory writing in the OSA Summer Review said of the visit to the vacant former bishop’s place in Kilmore on Day Three. ‘The house and its outbuildings are extensive with plenty of space, should it be restored to a new use. Various ideas were proposed for the building including an artist’s village in the outbuildings or a hotel.

I suppose these spontaneous discussions were what really stood out about this Summer School – it wasn’t simply a lecture based conference event.

The people I was surrounded with were infectiously enthusiastic about the heritage around them. Everyone had a story to tell, could see the beauty in these often-forgotten towns and buildings, and it was amazing to share this experience with so many like-minded people.

Conservation without Frontiers 2019 was an inspiration and a resounding success. I hope to continue to be inspired by what I learned and discovered on this trip for a long time to come.’

Acknowledgments This event could not have happened without sponsorship from Cavan County Council, Creative Ireland, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Co-operation with Northern Ireland scheme and Hamilton Architects.

Both organisations gratefully acknowledge their assistance, advice and guidance. Kevin Mulligan was a superb Director while the local knowledge provided by Ian Davidson in Fermanagh and Anne Marie Ward in Cavan was invaluable.

We had a wonderful group of speakers and guides who enlightened and entertained us in sunshine and showers! However very special thanks go to Nikki McVeigh, Isabel McKernan and Connie Gerrow (uah), Donough Cahill, Zoë Coleman (igs) for organising the Summer School programme with amazing skill and dexterity.

Conclusion It is all very well quoting students comments after the event but do the lessons last and do they remain in contact with igs or uah? To date some eighty students have attended the three summer schools organised since 2015. Many remain in contact and attend events and lectures organised by both societies. Chris Hamill, a student at the first summer school, won the 2018 Philip Webb award and did his dissertation on ‘Troubled

Legacy: the case of Armagh Gaol’; he gave a lecture on the subject to uah earlier this summer. His ideas on how this controversial building should be reused are under active consideration in Armagh at present.

Conor Sandford, a native of County Armagh now working for Historic England, returned this year to talk about his role in that organisation on day three of the Summer School.

In an email he wrote that ‘as a student at the first Summer School [in Armagh and Monaghan] I remember being blown away by its quality. Not only in terms of meeting like minded people and learning more about the opportunities and challenges our historic places present, but also the excitement of venturing into buildings which I would never otherwise get to explore. Seeing and hearing about what has been done to save those places was inspirational and made me want to try and make a difference to the outlook of my local thatched heritage at risk, the Kilmore Cottage.

[Conor is running to raise funds to restore Kilmore cottage and planning to set up a trust to restore it] The Summer Schools are so important in providing us with a rare opportunity, particularly at home, to meet each other, to learn, to inspire and to explore collectively, so that together we can make the best possible case for the places which tell our shared story, both now and in the future.’

I believe that the igs/uah Summer Schools are creating current and future built heritage champions and creating links between different generations working to preserve Ireland’s heritage.

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The twenty-one covers of Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies from 1998 to 2011 (plus an index volume)

‘ The Entire Spectrum of Ireland’s Post-Medieval Architecture’: 21 Years of the igs Journal William Laffan On 15 May the City Assembly House was full to capacity for a twentyfirst birthday party for Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies, the Journal of the Irish Georgian Society. Another exciting volume under the editorship of Prof. Finola O’Kane was launched by Prof.

Andrew Carpenter, founding editor of Eighteenth Century Ireland and general editor of the five-volume Art and Architecture of Ireland published in 2014.

The Irish Georgian Society has been publishing research on Ireland’s art and architecture from close to its inception in 1958, initially through its Quarterly Bulletin. In the first volume of IA&DS, Desmond Guinness, cofounder of the Society, told the story of how the bulletin’s much-loved design was, rather serendipitously, arrived at: ‘The white and gold organ in the salon at Carton had been installed in 1857, and the Music Association of Ireland arranged a concert to celebrate its one hundredth anniversary while we were living there. It struck me that the programme was very elegantly printed, in a beautiful typeface, using red and black on a handmade cream paper.

We were told that the Dolmen Press had printed it, and, when in 1958 we started to plan the Quarterly Bulletin, we went to Liam Miller, who owned the Press, and he agreed to undertake the printing for us’.

In 1998 a decision was made to expand the format and, with Seán O’Reilly as editor, Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies was born.

Gandon Editions of Kinsale has taken over the mantle of Dolmen Press and has produced and beautifully designed all twenty-one volumes.

At the time of the launch of the re-branded Journal Desmond Guinness explained its extended remit: ‘The new manifestation of the Bulletin acknowledges the importance of the entire spectrum of Ireland’s post-medieval architecture and its special need for protection, interpretation understanding and appreciation’.

Some years later the Knight of Glin again articulated the centrality of the Journal to the igs: ‘The scrupulous scholarship that the Journal promotes, permeates and informs all our activities’ indeed, he argued that the Journal was ‘one of the things that most differentiates the Irish Georgian Society from other heritage and conservation bodies’.

With these statements of intent the ‘Two Desmonds’ set a hugely ambitious goal for the Journal – to explore the whole of Ireland’s post-medieval art, architecture and material culture – but one which over twenty-one years it has triumphantly fulfilled. Toby Barnard describes the Journal as the first ‘port of call’ for researchers in the field while the catalogue of the great Chicago exhibition of Irish art held in 2015, noting the Art Institute’s collaboration with the igs on the show, described IA&DS as ‘at the forefront of research into the material world of Ireland’.

It seems that every significant figure working in the fields of Irish architecture, gardens, painting and the decorative arts has contributed to its pages, notably including Toby Barnard, Mairead Dunlevy, Christine Casey, Alec Cobbe, Jane Fenlon, Eileen Harris, the Knight of Glin, Nicola Gordon Bowe, Rolf Loeber, Desmond Guinness, Peter Harbison and Nicola Figgis, who in 2002 took over the editorship. The Journal has also published the work of subsequent generations of architectural historians

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THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF IRELAND’S POST-MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

In the current volume John Montague explores the work of the Wide Streets Commissioners in remodelling Georgian Dublin discussing the important role of architect and engineer George Semple and the influence of Thomas Lediard

01 This year’s Journal publishes new research by Felix Martin which gives a wholly new account of the Casino at Marino exploring its ‘interior-exterior dichotomy’ and asking why Lord Charlemont and William Chambers aimed for ‘both monumental and residential functions within a singular building’ 02 Michael Wall, Sir David Davies, Finola O'Kane, Dr. Andrew Carpenter and Donough Cahill 03 Professor Andrew Carpenter launches Vol. XXI of IA&DS 04 Dr Conor Lucey, Prof Christine Casey & Dr Ellen Rowley

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including Kevin Mulligan, Finola O’Kane, Conor Lucey, Livia Hurley and Melanie Hayes, and scholars of material culture, perhaps most notably Alison FitzGerald and Anna Moran. Importantly, it has also provided a platform for graduate students, and fledgling scholars at the beginning of their careers.

The generous length which the Journal allows its contributors – in contrast to the bite-sized articles that some other publications demand – gives room for scholars to explore complex material in detail, and the results have frequently been worked up later into monographs. Kevin Mulligan and Patricia McCarthy, for example, published their researches in several volumes of the Journal which were later expanded into notable books on the Irish country house generally, and Ballyfin specifically. Similarly David Skinner expanded his findings on Irish wallpaper, published here in Volume vi, into a much-praised book on the subject.

Eleven years ago, writing at the time of the IA&DS’s tenth anniversary, I noted the breadth of the Journal’s contents in its first decade: ‘Periods and topics range from Arts and Crafts in Kilkenny to medieval churches in south Leinster. There are articles on individual building typologies from sporting lodges

to railway stations, while material culture in its widest sense is explored – furniture, glass, fireworks and automata…while the histories of patronage, exhibiting and collecting are also discussed’. In the eleven years since then under the editorship of Finola and, immediately prior to that, Conor Lucey, the range of topics has only expanded, with research published on shops and shopping in Georgian Dublin; public lighting in eighteenth-century Cork; elite food culture in Ireland and private theatricals in Irish houses.

Stained glass, sculpture, furniture, silver, carriages, musical instruments, stuccowork, tapestries, photographic albums and bookbindings have all been the subject of articles as have all sorts of buildings: churches, follies, country and town houses, convents. Thematic studies have explored issues of estate development, exhibiting practices, art education, urban planning, and aspects of sociability from country house visiting to music and dancing. Architects including James Gibbs, Frederick Darley and James Pain and artists such as George Barret, Hugh Douglas Hamilton and Charles Jervas have all featured. Intriguing titles invite perusal: ‘an Irish Artist at the Bullfight in 1789’, ‘Bathing in Porphyry on the Banks of the River Liffey’ or ‘Piracy, Property and Politics’.

The current volume reflects this admirable diversity, though with something of a Dublin focus including, as it does, new research on the Wide Streets Commissioners; the Casino at Marino; the Custom House; the Dublin Society; newly discovered drawings by Hugh Douglas Hamilton relating to his well-known 'Cries of Dublin'; the restoration by Richard Morrison of a Catholic chapel in Wicklow; the 1979 Taoiseach’s House competition, and the muchtravelled artist from County Down, Helen Mabel Trevor.

Overseeing the Journal is a distinguished advisory board of leading scholars of art, architecture and design, its members drawn from tcd, ucd, ul, Maynooth University, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Architectural Archive and the National College of Art and Design.

Although technically chaired by the editor, the board is genially presided over by Ireland’s senior architectural historians, David Griffin and Edward McParland. Eddie was once described by the Knight as the éminence grise behind the Journal and a remarkable six of the nine articles in the current issue acknowledge his scholarship in their footnotes. The igs is delighted that the architectural historian John

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Montague has recently agreed to join the editorial board.

IA&DS has been fortunate in attracting sponsors of enormous generosity who have enabled us to produce an expensive publication, the costs of which are not nearly covered by subscriptions. The Apollo Foundation, the Ireland Funds, the Mark Mitchell Fund, the Esmé Mitchell Trust, the Castletown Foundation, opw and the schools of Irish Studies foundations have all provided funding, while for many years we received generous support from the J. Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust and the Estate of the late Paul Mellon. The igs is also immensely grateful to private donors who have helped cover the costs in recent years.

Following launches of the Journal in Dublin, Chicago, London,

Limerick, Kilkenny and Castletown, next year we hope to launch (once again) in Cork with a volume highlighting new research on the architectural history and material culture of Cork city and its environs.

The Journal neatly straddles the educational and conservation remits of the igs, as Desmond Guinness put it in the quotation above encouraging the ‘protection, interpretation understanding and appreciation’ of our material past and reminding of the deep seriousness of purpose of the Society which should never be forgotten. All members and supporters of the igs’s goals are encouraged to subscribe.

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DONERAILE COURT

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

Doneraile Court Christopher Moore

The opening to the public of Doneraile Court, Co. Cork in June 2019 by the Office of Public Works brought to a close a long drawn out restoration project initiated and led by the Irish Georgian Society between 1976 and 1994.

Fifty years ago in 1969 the St Leger family vacated the property which had been theirs since the early 17th century. Sold initially to the Land Commission, the house was subsequently leased by this Society, having lain empty for six years it was in an advanced state of dereliction.

Subsequently for eighteen years it was the focus of fund raising, volunteer effort and ambitious restoration works. When it was returned by the Society to the Office of Public Works in 1994 this State body continued the repairs, securing the structure of the house. Although the Court remained closed, the demesne had been opened

to the public in 1984 becoming one of the most visited State properties with currently over 488,000 visitors annually. There has always been huge local enthusiasm for the Court and the opw established a consultative process with stakeholders to focus on the development and promotion of the estate. In 2018 some €2million was allocated primarily by the opw with the assistance of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the repair, fit out and initial opening of the house.

In the summer of 2018 while the building repairs, services and visitor facilities were being installed under

View of Doneraile Court from its surrounding demesne

the supervision of architect Brendan Cormican and the opw architectural team, Mary Heffernan, Assistant Principal in the opw Historic Properties division began to assess how best to approach the interpretation of the house.

She assembled a team from Historic Properties based in Dublin Castle and I was fortunate enough to join them in an advisory capacity in August.

Almost all the original contents had been dispersed in 1969 but the Society under the stewardship of Arthur Montgomery had acquired a number of significant furnishings which had been safely stored in different

locations since 1994. Arthur’s love for Doneraile, knowledge of all aspects of its history and repair was fundamental to Mary’s developing a vision as to how best present the house.

With a limited budget and a short time frame ahead of an early summer opening in 2019 - all our accumulated contacts and imagination were required to fill the rooms and give them a legitimate feel. Working on the principal that every object on display must tell a story, the acquisition policy determined that we should attempt to acquire items original to the house, from other Cork collections, from the Southern region and finally from Ireland in general. The Society had acquired through the generosity of Edmund Corrigan and others, some St Leger family portraits and from John Lenahan we were able to buy and return to the house, a huge Aubusson rug which until 1969 was in the dining room. Through the extended St Leger family we obtained

loans of a family tree, footmen's silver buttons and other charming memorabilia. Portraits and furniture from Cork houses including Byblox, Coolmore, Dunmanway, Riverstown, Bowen's Court and Castle Martyr were borrowed and acquired to give a regional relevance to the rooms.

Two early and significant pieces of furniture relating to the south west were acquired – the early 16th century O’Brien muniments chest from Dromoland and a vestment chest reputedly from St Mary's Cathedral in Limerick which is in part 17th century.

The State collections provided significant furnishings including three noble tapestries from the Granard bequest, a magnificent Booker mirror and handsome brown furniture. The generosity of other public institutions and private individuals has been significant. Advised by Peter Murray, the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork generously agreed to lend a series

of significant paintings including a portrait of William Robinson, Surveyor General, a Nathaniel Grogan Cork landscape, portraits of the Browne family and a magnificent Snyders originally from Strancally Castle in Co. Waterford.

The Castletown Foundation and the Irish Georgian Society loaned furniture not in use at Castletown and the Trustees of Tara’s Palace have lent a uniquely comprehensive collection of silhouettes through the auspices of Matt McNulty.

Enthusiasm for Doneraile and pride in the county have meant that private gifts and loans have been notable: Edmund Corrigan so long a champion of the Society has allowed his remarkable collection of Cork related portraits and miniatures to be displayed in the Court; Pat Murray, whose growing collection of Irish portraits have transformed the Society's headquarters in Dublin, allowed those with a Southern relevance to be hung in Doneraile and

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DONERAILE COURT

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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02, 03, 04 Interior of Doneraile Court

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Capard House, Laois and the varying use of an Irish country house and demesne Ciarán Reilly

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two of Harry Boyle’s magnificent family portraits of Lord Shannon and Lord Burlington have been transferred from Dublin Castle. Other donors have been acknowledged in the patrons' board which has been erected in the Stairhall.

Some core furnishings have been purchased –plain brown furniture but also some fine Cork portraits. Two Irish country house sales allowed for the purchase of oversized and suitably faded rugs which placed on the dry scrubbed floors have helped give the rooms a settled appearance.

Architecturally and decoratively Doneraile is complex and multi layered. Mary McGrath was commissioned to carry out a paint survey with microscopic colour analysis by Catherine Hassal.

Along with the results of this survey, it was determined that any original decoration from the St Leger period should be conserved and be the determining factor in new colour

schemes. With this in mind the damaged early 19th century graining in the Panelled Room and the Library was conserved and refreshed by Ros Devitt and Nathaniel Clements respectively. Many of the rooms had been hung in wallpaper in the early to mid 19th century and fragments of these kept by Arthur Montgomery were used to create the sienna used in the Boudoir. The strong colours favoured by Desmond and Mariga were also deemed important and these have been reproduced in the Stairhall and Library although in fact they relate to the 18th century colours revealed in the colour analysis. The paint was supplied by Edward Bulmer, it is organic, naturally pigmented and its dry, chalky appearance gives a subtle and slightly used look to the rooms.

One of Desmond Guinness’s earliest wishes for Doneraile was that there should be a commemoration of Bowen’s Court within the house: thus the first of a series of exhibitions relevant to the locality has been

devoted to this subject. Thanks to the generosity of Elizabeth Bowen’s heirs, her family portraits have been reproduced, some personal memorabilia loaned and a remarkable collection of her photographs and letters concerning the last years of Bowen's Court displayed alongside a survey of the house by the opw in 1960 prior to its demolition. This will be significantly developed in 2020 with architectural fragments from Bowen’s Court loaned by John Lenahan.

Plans are well advanced for the opening of the first floor which hopefully will happen in 2020.

An exciting collection of Irish furnishings and textiles will come to Doneraile which will add to its compelling story.

Since 2015 Capard House has undergone one of the largest restoration projects of an Irish country house to date. Here, Dr Ciarán Reilly of Maynooth University examines the changing uses of Capard House and demesne during the early twentieth century.

His book, 'Capard: An Irish Country House & Estate' was published by the Irish Georgian Society in September 2019.

Sitting nestled on the edge of the Ridge of Capard, which forms part of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Capard House, near Rosenallis in county Laois provides an example of the ever-changing function and use of the Irish country house.

From ‘seasonal home’, catering for the sporting pursuits of the Pigott family, to mid-twentieth century retreat for international visitors, including Swiss diplomats and others who wished to escape wartime Europe, Capard has long enthralled a variety of visitors. Indeed, the demesne at Capard played an important role in the social and cultural life of Rosenallis over many years.

Much of this early recreation centred on sporting pursuits and the Pigotts, who were first granted land in Laois in the 1560s, were amongst the prominent

organisers of events in the county.

They were also noted breeders of dogs and in the mid-1800s kept a celebrated ‘pack of deep mouthed southern hounds’. Today, the area known as the ‘Kennel Field’ in the demesne is testament to this sporting tradition. Capard estate, which stretched to almost 5,000 acres, was also celebrated for its ‘perfect sporting country’ and regularly played host to sporting enthusiasts such as the Duke of Richmond who visited in 1807 and members of local hunts including the Queen’s County Hunt and the King’s County and Ormond Hunt. However, cricket was the most popular sport at Capard, and under the stewardship of John Pigott a pitch was laid out in the demesne in the 1830s. Known locally as the ‘green hollow’ the pitch remained in use for over 120 years. Cricket, of course was a summer sport enjoyed by the gentry following the winter hunting season and at Capard it also allowed for the interaction with members of the local community who were prominent members of the team. While other clubs disappeared during the early 1920s, teams at Capard continued as late as the 1950s.

While most country houses remained outside the gaze of the ordinary person, Capard provides an

example of how local communities frequently used both house and demesne. By the end of the nineteenth century Capard was firmly part of a burgeoning tourist trail in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

The natural beauty of the area, coupled with local attractions such as the Catholes, the waterfall at Glenbarrow and the Ridge of Capard, ensured that the area was frequented by visitors throughout the summer months. These visitors included groups such as the Tullamore Total Abstinence Society and the Geashill Temperance Society who held picnics on the front lawn and took in the ‘beautiful and picturesque scenery’.

They were followed by groups formed during the great cultural reawakening which characterised late nineteenth-century Ireland and who were interested in the folklore and history of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, including the Tullamore Celtic Literary Society, who in 1902, were ‘entertained on the lawn to a full luncheon’. The demesne was also a romantic haunt used by local couples ‘courting’, although this was the source of considerable displeasure in the late 1920s when ‘frolicking’ at a dance at Capard was widely criticised.

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CAPARD HOUSE, LAOIS

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01 Cover of 'Capard House', available for purchase from the IGS bookshop 02, 03 Views of Capard House

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By the late 1920s, changing circumstances at nearby Ballyfin and Emo (both then acquired by religious orders) meant that their demesnes were no longer open to community groups and tourists. William Bailey, the land agent, continued the long running tradition of allowing the local community and others to access Capard demesne for which he was widely praised. The Mountmellick ‘Half-Holiday Association’ regularly used Capard for social purposes and their annual ball was an eagerly anticipated affair. Likewise, the Mountmellick Commercial Tennis Club held their annual sports day in the demesne with the evening festivities concluding with the Owenass Music Orchestra playing on the lawn in front of the ‘Big House’.

When the Mountmellick Fete was held at Capard at ‘late notice’ in 1933 the festivities and entertainment were said to have ‘resembled the Blackpool amusements’. Following one such occasion a local poet wrote: I’ve been to a good many places, to some I went for a rest, but after the picnic this evening, I’ll plump for Capard as the best. When Capard passed to Charles de Jenner (his mother was a Pigott), a Swiss diplomat, in 1928 there was uncertainty around the future of the house and it ignited calls for the estate to be acquired and the land redistributed. Capard was also cited as a suitable place for a county hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis, then one of the most prevalent diseases in Ireland.

There were others who believed that Capard’s future lay with tourism and the regeneration of the local economy. To highlight the potential, in 1930 a two-week summer camp organised by the United Irishwomen (later the Irish Countrywomen’s Association) was held at Capard.

The camp provided the opportunity for young women to learn handicrafts, leatherwork, basket making and chair seating. In the evenings, the girls took part in a host of activities including dancing and singing, while in the demesne they enjoyed open-air baths, picnics and walks. The summer camp model was short lived but did not deter other groups from travelling to Capard where, not for the first time, the scenery captivated all. In 1931, one visitor remarked: No more beautiful spot could have been selected

for a picnic than the lovely grounds at Capard House…The view from the hall door is exceedingly pretty, and at present the whole place looks lovely, owing partly to the fact that the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

In the early 1930s de Jenner and his family began to visit Capard more frequently and their servant Stella Bonetti recalled these idyllic times when she wrote: I often think of Capard, of the moors, the Stony Man, the horses and the dear people I learned to know then. I miss freedom, riding, walks in the woods and dear old Capard House.

There were also a host of weekend visitors who visited Capard including diplomats and members of the Swiss legation in Dublin. When the Second World War broke out Capard also provided respite for war weary Britons and others. In 1940 a Mr Benson and his son spent time at Capard ‘shooting pigeons’, while it also provided an escape for members of the Swiss Military and Air Attache in London. Another visitor Oscar Schneider, who managed affairs in Ireland for de Jenner, on his last visit lamented that: most of all I shall long regret Capard where I spent such happy days and where I was always so well looked after.

The end of WW2 meant fewer international visitors but once more Capard played host to groups such as the Children of Mary Sodality, the Gaelic League (who organised Irish dancing and singing classes), and local schoolchildren who studied works of art in the house. The Gaelic League also organised camogie matches at Capard and the first ‘Sports Day’ was held under their auspices in the demesne in 1946.

This of course challenges the stereotypical representation of the country house and its uses and also public attitudes towards the house and owners, particularly in the twentieth century. This was best exemplified by the Clonaslee Guild of Farmers who reported in 1946 that: a goodly number assembled and gathered in the spacious apartments of Capard House where a beautiful tea was served…after which novelty races were held and games which proved very amusing, and for the close of the evening a social hour was thoroughly enjoyed after which all dispersed.

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

Rich Specimens of Architectural Beauty Preview of a forthcoming book on the Irish Country House William Laffan Gracefield, County Laois

Emo Court, County Laois

Over more than a decade from 1818, the architectural draughtsman John Preston Neale labored on his magnum opus, the much-admired Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. This enormous undertaking comprised a total of seven hundred and thirty-two engraved plates after his monochrome sketches, with an accompanying text for each house. Of these, a proportionately respectable forty-three depicted Irish demesnes.

The accuracy of Neale’s drawings, and their comparatively early date within the nineteenth century – before unfortunate Victorian alterations – has made Neale an invaluable resource for the Irish country house historian. In addition to the evidentiary value of the illustrations, important material is preserved within the texts. The entry on Russborough, for example, records (uniquely) the, seemingly original, hang of the paintings.

Neale’s drawings for his Irish views were sold to the Earl of Derby and bound into an elegant album which in 1953 was acquired by the National Library of Ireland, where they lay largely unnoticed until recently, when curator Mary Broderick, recognised the album’s significance.

A forthcoming book by Kevin V. Mulligan will publish Neale’s original drawings for the first time.

While Neale includes all of the really great houses of Ireland – Ballyfin, Castle Coole, Lyons, Castletown, Kilkenny Castle and Lismore – his selection of others has always seemed puzzling; why, for example, was the utterly obscure and modest Hollywell House in County Cavan included, while the more distinguished seat of Lord Farnham in the same county was not?

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CONSERVATION GRANTS

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01 Shelton Abbey, County Wicklow 02 Thomastown Castle, County Kilkenny 03 Russborough House, Co. Wicklow

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A clue to the selection process is the overrepresentation of the works of Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. Admittedly, this could be attributed to the sheer ubiquity of the Morrisons in the early decades of the century. Lord Powerscourt, for example, remarked in 1821 that Richard Morrison as ‘the head of his profession’ is ‘always employed by people of fortune and taste’. That said, the conspicuous notice and praise which their buildings are accorded suggests that the architects actively used Neale to promote themselves, and that he essentially allowed them to write their own reviews.

Mulligan has examined in exhaustive detail Neale’s correspondence books, preserved in the Public Records Office in Norwich, in which he kept the hundreds of letters he received from house owners and architects, from pedants and crackpots, each with their own axe to grind as to which properties he should include. Prominent among the correspondents was Richard Morrison who, at the very outset of the project, offered to supply Neale with drawings and descriptions and more or less took over the Ireland end of Neale’s operation, actively promoting the inclusion of his own designs, and those of his precocious son, and puffing the houses of his clients and friends. Of course, this could never happen today….

In addition to the scores of unpublished letters from the Morrisons, Neale’s other Irish correspondents included the architect Owen Fahy, the stuccodore George Stapleton, and patrons John Smith Barry of Fota and Thomas Kavanagh of Borris. Mulligan contextualises these previously almost unknown drawings with this wealth of new primary documentation to offer a compelling new perspective on the career of the Morrisons and the Irish country house in the Regency period.

With enormous generosity, Churchill House Press is giving the entire print run of this book to the Irish Georgian Society and the National Library of Ireland, so, if bought at the igs bookshop, every cent of the cover price will go towards the conservation work of the igs.

For more information see churchillhousepress.com

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Early Irish Georgians A reminiscence by Peter Verity These action-filled paragraphs only give a hint of the life and fun – and hard work – enjoyed in the early days of the Irish Georgian Society by long-time member Peter Verity.

As a young university student Mariga Guinness’ invitation and persuasive charm were impossible to resist.

“Ireland needs you” - were Mariga’s words, so in June 1968 I arrived in Dublin with instructions to catch the 67 from Bachelor’s Walk.

Desmond and Mariga had recently moved the Irish Georgian Society from Leixlip Castle to Castletown House and with it the Guinness Camelot as the two houses were metamorphized as if under a single roof and the lives and home of Desmond and Mariga and the activities of the igs had become completely intertwined.

In the acquisition of Castletown, Desmond and Mariga had made significant financial sacrifices, a huge commitment of time, energy and effort and they were now faced with the mammoth task of raising funds for its running and restoration.

Mariga had a crusading spirit and the vital talent to imbue all she met with an enthusiasm for the then unappreciated world of Irish architecture. She seemed to transform life itself into theatre and each day was as a new creation. There was an endless flow of people staying and leaving and returning and, to varying degrees, supporting their mission - relations, historians with varying interests, artists, musicians, pop stars, ‘the Americans,’ so many

friends (and some foes whom they hoped to convert to their cause), and others whom one vaguely recognised!

People were thus persuaded to join in the magical and, at times rather theatrical, mission the Georgians were pursuing.

Desmond and Mariga hosted lunches and dinners, for an endless stream of guests; he had invited some and she others, while several had invited themselves as neither host or hostess were quite certain who they were. Among the many I recall that summer were, Mike Jagger, (called always by Mariga, ‘Mr Yaggar’), Marianne Faithfull, Garech Browne, Nicki Browne, Tiger Cowley, Anne Crookshank, Grey Gowrie, David and Katherine Nall-Cain, Hugh and Maureen Charlton, Paddy Rossmore (whose photographs filled the igs Bulletins), Max Mosley, Bryan Moyne, Ivor and Marie Underwood, Desmond Leslie, Julian and Carola Peck, Henry McIlhenny, Charlotte Bielenberg, the enchanting Phyllis Du Pont Mills who was to marry James Wyeth, the Pakenhams (about whom Mariga was apt to remark that they had sadly left Ireland ‘for reasons of literature’), Brenda Weir, a cook of eighteenth century dishes; there was an Indian Maharajah with whom Mariga was planning

a tour to India, Father Murphy, many ‘Mr and Mrs Things’ sometimes with an informative tag such as a visiting Scandinavian whom Mariga introduced as ‘Captain of the Barque Starfish’, Ambassadors aplenty, and Dublin developers (if they dared come), Pearl Mesta, Jack Lynch, Rose Saul Zalles who gave money to purchase the Conolly Folly, while Richard Wood, staying in the flat in the yard, sometimes came in after dinner. If people where ‘difficult’ they might be requested to put on a hat from the dressing-up trunk in the hall.

All this was a front for an enormous amount of hard work being undertaken in promoting the IGS causes, and in both the running and the ongoing restoration of Castletown. By showing what could be achieved Castletown acted as a model to inspire other house owners not to give up. Though Castletown was open to the general public, for five shillings, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, it was never closed to visitors and groups.

Read the full version of Peter Verity’s account on www.igs.ie

He had invited some and she others, while several had invited themselves as neither host or hostess were quite certain who they were…

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Young Irish Georgians: Year in Review

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Conservation Education Programme

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The Young Irish Georgians (yigs) are members of the Society who are early career professionals, students or recent graduates, who enjoy attending events with their peers, visiting interesting buildings or conservation projects. Previously we have visited Reads Cutlers (September 2017), Newbridge House (February 2018), Dublin Civic Trust’s project at 18 Ormond Quay (September 2018), and the Castletown House Archive (September 2018).

In November, we merrily toasted a bumper year of yig events with a Historic Pub Crawl in Dublin city centre in the lead up to Christmas!

No pictures please!

The first event of 2019 took us to North Great Georges Street on 9 March, where architect Merlo Kelly gave an informed introduction to the evolution of the Gardiner Estate near Parnell Square and Henrietta Street.

Four long-term residents of the street kindly welcomed our group into their homes: David Norris, Desiree Short, John Aboud and Denis Byrne, who showed us around his architectural practice at No. 26.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Young Irish Georgians, or if you would like to propose an event, please contact Zoë Coleman (zoe.coleman@igs.ie).

In the second half of the year we wanted to venture out of Dublin city, and so on Saturday 17 August we travelled to another great Georgian city for a day trip to Historic Limerick city and Newtown Pery. igs Limerick Chapter members generously gave our group their time and expertise.

Liam Irwin guided us on a tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral (c. 1168), Dr. Judith Hill led us on a walking tour of the historic city, beginning with the former Custom House (c. 1769, now The Hunt Museum), and concluding at Newtown Pery.

Rose Anne White of Limerick Civic Trust showed us through No. 2 Pery Square (c. 1835-40), formerly the Georgian House Museum, which will shortly be reopening its doors to the public.

We have more events planned for the coming months, and all events are open to members of the Society aged 40 and under.

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The Conservation Education Programme delivers on the Society’s mission to promote and protect Ireland’s architectural heritage, allied arts and designed landscapes and is supported annually by Merrion Property Group and Heather and John Picerne. Over the past year the programme delivered a conservation course for homeowners, a traditional building skills exhibition, an architectural heritage lecture series and a grants seminar.

Kildare’s Heritage Buildings Show 2019

01 yigs on Dublin’s Historic Pubs Crawl, November 2018 02 Pictured at the rear of No. 2 Pery Square on visit to historic Limerick and Newtown Pery, August 2019 03 Young Irish Georgians with Senator David Norris on our Spring tour of North Great George’s Street

A weekend of traditional building skills demonstrations, conservation talks and children’s craft workshops with Kildare County Council, opw and Creative Ireland, Castletown, County Kildare, 15th and 16 June 2019.

Established by the Society twenty years ago, in 1999, the annual exhibition promotes the need for and availability of traditional building skills in the conservation and care of historic building and provides an opportunity to view some of Ireland’s finest conservation craftspeople demonstrate. The 2019 exhibition showcased sash window repairs, the use of lime-based mortars, decorative plasterwork, traditional ironwork, thatching, stained glass and fanlight conservation, stone carving, dry stonewall construction, soft capping, gilding and green wood turning. The event was made possible due to the support of Kildare County

Council, the opw and Creative Ireland.

This successful collaboration represented a coming together of all sectors of the conservation community draw from the state, semi-state, ngos and private practice. In addition to the Irish Georgian Society, opw and Kildare County Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Heritage Council, the Castletown Foundation, the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland, spab Ireland, the Buildings Limes Forum Ireland and the Irish Horological Craft Forum all participated by demonstrating traditional skills; delivering lectures as part of the conservation seminar which ran in tandem with the exhibition; as well as mounting the accompanying Cruinniú na nÓg children’s craft workshops.

Over the course of the two-days of the exhibition, 2,000 people attended.

Castletown became a one-stop destination for people in need of free, accurate and impartial advice for the care and conservation of their historic buildings. The Society wishes to thank all those who made the show such a successful endeavour, in particular Creative Ireland, Kildare County Council with their dynamic, Heritage Officer, Bridget Loughlin and Architectural Conservation Officer, Peter Black, opw National Historic Properties and opw Castletown team, and of course the wonderful conservation practitioners and professionals.

Conserving your Dublin Period House course, Spring 2019 with dcc’s Heritage Office The Society once more partnered with Dublin City Council’s Heritage Office to deliver the annual Conserving your Dublin Period House course.

Over 50 historic homeowners, architects, builders and engineers enrolled on the course, which provides an A to Z of the history and significance of Dublin’s period houses and practical advice on their conservation.

The continued success of the course, which has been held each year for the past decade, is a testament to the superb speakers, all authorities on their respective topics. The Society wishes to acknowledge our gratitude to the following conservation experts for their invaluable continued support: Charles Duggan, Heritage Officer dcc; Mary McDonald, Architectural Conservation Officer, dcc; Sarah Jane Halpin & Carl Raftery, Conservation Research Officers, dcc; Jacqui Donnelly, Senior Architect and Dr Nessa Roche, Senior Architectural Advisor, Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht; Ali Davey, Historic Environment Scotland; Susan Roundtree, riai conservation architect; Grainne Shaffrey, Principal, Shaffrey Architects; Lisa Edden, Associate Director, Cora Consulting Engineers; Andrew Smith, consultant decorative plasterwork conservator; Peter Clarke, retired lecturer,

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

tud; Frank Keohane, Chartered Building Surveyor & author of Irish Period Houses: a conservation guidance manual; and Dr Susan Galavan, architect & author of 'Dublin's Bourgeois Homes: Building the Victorian suburbs, 1850-1901'.

Talks were recognised as cpd by the cif Register of Heritage Contractors, Engineers Ireland, the Irish Planning Institute and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. So whether you are an architect, engineers, planner or builder wishing to upskill in conservation; or live in a protected structure, and wish to obtain accurate impartial advice on its continued maintenance or are planning major refurbishments this is an essential course.

Great Georgian Architects: shaping the classical city of Dublin lecture series, Autumn 2019 Following the Restoration of 1660, Dublin became the second city, after London, of the British Empire, with major development and expansion in the Georgian period (1714-1830) providing the institutional buildings and infrastructure and setting out the city plan substantially as it survives today. To promote, celebrate and raise a better appreciation of this built heritage, the Irish Georgian Society and Dublin City Council’s Heritage Office invited architectural historians, architects and conservationists to give their account of how the architectural legacy of nine major Georgian architects shaped the classical city of Dublin.

The lecture series, which was approached biographically and chronologically examined the architectural oeuvre of William Robinson (1645–1712); Thomas Burgh (1670-1730); Edward Lovett Pearce (c. 1699 -1733); Richard Castle (c.1690 -1751); William Chambers (1723 – 1796); James Gandon (1742 – 1823); Thomas Cooley (1742 – 1784); Thomas Ivory (c. 1732-1786); and Francis Johnston (1760-1829).

Receiving support from The Heritage Council, through a European

Year of Cultural Heritage grant, the lectures were at full capacity each Tuesday evening for the duration of the eight weeks.

The Irish Georgian Society is most grateful for the research and insights shared by the stellar lecturers: Livia Hurley, Design Fellow at the School of Architecture, ucd; Professor Christine Casey, Professor in Architectural History, Department of History of Art and Architecture & Fellow, tcd; Dr Melanie Hayes, Lecturer and Research Fellow, Department of History of Art and Architecture, tcd; Dr Conor Lucey, Assistant Professor, School of Art History & Cultural Policy, ucd; Graham Hickey, Conservation Director, Dublin Civic Trust; Merlo Kelly, mria, Senior Tutor, School of Architecture, ucd; Dr Judith Hill, mriai, Moore Institute Visiting Research Fellow, 2017–2018, nui Galway; Dr Edward McParland, Fellow and Pro-Chancellor, tcd; as well as Dr John Montague, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, American University of Sharjah, who as a prelude to the lecture series delivered a walking tour that provided an opportunity to view first-hand the great Georgian architects’ major civic Dublin works.

Taken for Granted: spending to save Ireland’s architectural heritage, seminar, Thursday 22 November The Irish Georgian Society, in association with The Heritage Council, presented a day-long seminar examining the critical role grants play in preserving our architectural heritage. Showcasing best conservation practice achieved and the technical lessons learnt through funding provided by the Irish Georgian Society, The Heritage Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and other governmental and non-governmental grant giving bodies.

Case studies under review included the: stained-glass window of Agher Church, County Meath; Coadestone lion at Mote Park, County Roscommon; O’Brien column, Liscannor, County Clare; plasterwork ceiling at Collon Church,

County Louth; wrought iron gates at St. John’s Monsterevin, County Kildare; conservation of the thatched vernacular cottage at Lenankeel, County Donegal; lime wig pointing at the City Assembly House, Dublin City; and the slate roof at Bridge House, Westport, County Mayo.

The seminar, which was delivered with the support of the Architectural Conservation Planning Committee (chaired by Amy Hastings) and the Architectural Conservation Grants Committee (chaired by Primrose Wilson) was presented to coincide with and celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Society’s architectural conservation awards, which are funded by isg London and isg Inc. Speakers and chairs comprised: Donough Cahill; Frank Keohane; Deirdre McDermott; Duncan McLaren; Richard McLoughlin; Úna Ní Mhearain; Colm Murray; Emma Newman; Shane Nolan; Lucy O’Connor; Nicholas Prins; Alasdair Rennie; and Primrose Wilson.

At the end of the conference a resolution was agreed which called for: (i) a meaningful increase in government funding for conservation grants; (ii) greater flexibility in timelines for the completion of projects; (iii) the need to provide support for the retention of skilled craftsmen who are vital to undertake conservation work.

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

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Events Round-Up Róisín Lambe 03

01 opw Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran officially launched the tbs exhibition in June, with Kildare County Council Cathaoirleach Suzanne Doyle and Irish Georgian Society Vice-President Camilla McAleese welcoming him the county and exhibition respectively.

Pictured at the launch of the Kildare Heritage Buildings Show (L-R): Bridget Loughlin, Heritage Officer kcc; Emmeline Henderson, igs Assistant Director & Conservation Manager, igs; Councillor Michael Coleman; Donough Cahill, igs Executive Director; Cathaoirleach Suzanne Doyle, Kildare County Council; Peter Black, Architectural Conservation Officer, Kildare County Council; Camilla McAleese, igs Vice President; Councillor Venessa Liston; opw Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran; John Cahill, opw Assistant Principal Architect; Michael Wall, igs Chairperson; and Jacqui Donnelly, Senior Architect, Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

02 Shona O'Keefe, spab Ireland demonstrating soft capping (Image: Simon Bates) 03 Ken Leonard promoting the art of thatch to the next generation (Image: Simon Bates) 04 Henry Thompson, The Old Builders Company, demonstrating lime and hemping (Image: Simon Bates)

Castleboro House, one of the destinations for the Wexford Picnic Tour in August

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Members had the opportunity to visit Number 11 Parnell Square where they had a tour with Victoria Browne, igs Board Member who was based in Number 11 with the Irish Heritage Trust. Poetry Ireland also shares the building and after the tour, members attended one of their spoken word performances.

In November, the igs launched their inaugural Mary Bryan Memorial Lecture with an exploration of Irish Utopias in terms of planned industrial towns such as Portlaw and Bessbrook while considering the reverse; the dystopian manner of their demise economically and its impact on the built environment.

There was also a lecture on The Architecture and History of Ethiopia with Dr. Richard Marsh in November, this was to introduce the members to what a trip to Ethiopia had to offer which was arranged for the following May. Pat Murray arranged another South City Tour, this time visiting Dawson Street with stops at St. Anne’s Church and the Royal Irish Academy. The visit was very appropriate to the interests of the members as the parish of St Anne was created in 1707 at a time when the 18th century suburbs were beginning to envelop the site provided for the church by Sir Joshua Dawson. After St. Anne’s, members visited the Royal Irish Academy, which was founded in 1785, with the Earl of Charlemont as first president. The group the had drinks in the Merrion followed by a lovely lunch in Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.

In December, the igs held its annual Christmas Party at City Assembly House as the building was finished and fully restored. The Society held a Christmas Party in the City Assembly House the year the Society moved its offices in 2013.

It was a lovely evening with refreshments and a raffle of lovely prizes donated by local businesses and members of the board.

In January, the Society started the New Year and lecture series with a lecture titled 'Conserving your Dublin period house - 1747 not 2019!' with Dr Brendan Twomey. The lecture dealt with an interesting set of building accounts for

the refit of Mrs Bolton's house in Queen Street, Smithfield from 1747. She was the widow of the Archbishop of Cashel, a friend of Swift. Dr Brendan Twomey recounted the tremendous detail of the prices of materials, rates charged by tradesmen and credit for salvage while contextualising the built environment of the area at the time. The next lecture was titled ‘A Catholic College for a Catholic People’ with Pat Watson. Pat Watson gave a very insightful lecture on the expansion and development of St Patrick's College Maynooth from its Georgian beginnings through the Gothic development of Pugin to the College chapel. In February, members had a private guided tour of 14 Henrietta Street Museum which recently opened to visitors. The meticulously restored town house built in the 1740’s

by Luke Gardiner and first occupied by Lord Molesworth and his family. By the beginning of the 20th century No. 14 had become home to about 100 people from about 17 families. Dublin City Council with Shaffrey Architects have spent 10 years bringing this project to completion and were rewarded with 2 Awards from the riai for Best Conservation and Restoration Project and Best overall project with a Special riai jury Award.

The museum kindly hosted the groups for tea after the tours.

Also in February, the Spring Lecture series continued with a lecture on ‘Butlers of Ormond’ with John Kirwan.

John Kirwan is an historian, archivist, curator and writer. The lecture was a tour of the key figures of the House of Ormond through paintings, anecdotes and the buildings associated with the family. Next in the lecture series was ‘The La Touches: The Rise and Fall of an Irish Huguenot Family’ with John Dillon.

The talk traced the origins of the La Touche family in Ireland from the Battle of the Boyne, through its greatest days in the 18th century, when David La Touche III and the la Touche Bank dominated commerce. There was also an exploration of the chief residences of the family, such as Marlay, Bellevue, Harristown, and town houses in Stephen’s Green (9, 52, 85) and 10 Merrion Square.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

In March, ’19 North Great George’s Street’ with Harold Clarke, former Executive Chairman of Easons about his restoration of no. 19 North Great George’s Street, Dublin which he purchased in 1967.

Through a series of fascinating pictures, Harold recounted his journey of fully restoring the house and anecdotes of his time on street as well as his part in the North Great George’s Street Preservation Society. Julian Walton was next to give a lecture; now retired from teaching, he has also worked as secondary school teacher and librarian. He has also worked at Waterford Heritage Genealogical Centre, Waterford Cathedral Library and the library of ucc. He writes and lectures on the history of County Waterford and is currently researching the history of Curraghmore. The lecture titled ‘Louisa Marchioness of Waterford 1818-1891: a bicentenary assessment and fresh discoveries.’ Louisa was a daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay. Beautiful, artistic and religious, she married Henry, 3rd Marquess of Waterford, who had hitherto been renowned for his reckless and spendthrift behaviour. She was noted for her humanitarian endeavours, especially during the Famine. Our final lecture in the series was on ‘Castletown House: 50 years of re-appraisal’ with Christopher Moore. The lecture reviewed the constant re-appraisal and understanding of Castletown.

It touched upon developments that have accompanied the slow resuscitation of the significant country house and provided a fascinating update on a familiar place to Irish Georgian Society members. Christopher was curator of Castletown 1983-6 and then Assistant Historic Buildings Representative in Northern Ireland, 1987-89. From 2000, he joined the board of the Castletown Foundation, where he was particularly concerned with the conservation of the contents and interiors, and from 2013-2018 he was Chairman of the Foundation.

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01 Michael Wall, Chairman igf and Donough Cahill, Executive Director igf with Desmond Guinness Scholarship recipient Molly Claire Gillett (Montreal) and Desmond Guinness Prize recipient Logan Morse (Sussex). 02 Our tour group gathered above the Battlefield of Adwa (Courtesy of Dawood Nazerali) 03 Caroline Stephenson and Pat Murray at the igs Summer Garden Party in Durhamstown Castle, Co. Meath 04 igs group at Arran Henderson's walking tour of the Liberties.

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In April, Arran Henderson led two walking tours on the Medieval Walls of Dublin and the area of Rathmines. The medieval walls walking tour covered a complete circuit and exploration of the medieval walls of Dublin, both in a physical sense, and as an exploration of the walls in the imagination; through conversation, story and historic detail. As well as dealing with the structure, the tour included invasion, plague, fire, revolution and considering more recent developments, including poverty and philanthropy, industry and housing. The Rathmines Walking Tour looked at the architecture and social history of Rathmines alluding to ecclesiastical, residential, industrial and retail architecture topics as well as underground rivers, land boundaries, literature, and some modern of political history.

Glascott Symes led a group of members on a weekend trip to Edinburgh. The members had a chance to visit the fantastic sights in the city such as Holyrood house; the Georgian House, Charlotte Square; and the New Scottish Parliament as well as travelling to places such as Hopetoun House; Traquair House and Rosslyn Chapel in the surrounding area.

In May, Pat Murray arranged another excellent country house tour to Co. Kilkenny. Members visited Shankill Castle which is the home of Geoffrey and Elizabeth Cope since 1991. Next, the group visited the beautiful Dangan Cottage home to Christopher Moore where they had lunch. After which, the tour took them to Ballysallagh House is a Classical-style house with dormer attic, dated 1722 and home to igs Members Kieran and Geralyn White.

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Trip to Ethiopia

This year's international trip was a tour of Ethiopia. The logistics and itinerary were organised by Dr Richard Marsh of Global Culture Tours who led the tour whilst there and members were accompanied

by Róisín Lambe, igs Membership and Events Coordinator. Over the twelve days, the group travelled to see various towns and cities around the Northern part of Ethiopia. The first two days were spent in the nation’s capital Addis Ababa with tour of the city, a trip to Mount Entoto to see the city’s vista, a visit to the National Museum with highlight being the fossil skeleton of ‘Lucy’ dating to 3.2 million years old, the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (Ethnographic Museum) – one of the 20th century palaces of Haile Selassie, with a significant ethnographic collection together with galleries of crosses and icons and finally the Trinity Cathedral where the Emperor Haile Selassie and Sylvia Pankhurst are buried. The tour and site visits were accompanied by Dawood Nazerali, a national tour guide who had excellent commentary on life in Ethiopia and placed Addis in context.

On the third day, it was an early departure to the town of Axum in the Tigray region, a historic capital of the Axumite empire.

The group got to visit the tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskal, Sheba’s Palace and Bath, and the Stelae Park which is a World Heritage Site. The Stelae Park is dated to 4AD, their function is supposed to be that of "markers" for underground burial chambers. The largest of the grave markers were for royal burial chambers and were decorated with multi-story false windows and false doors, while lesser nobility would have smaller, less decorated ones. One obelisk was taken by the Italians by to Rome in 1937. It was not until a un agreement in 1947, they agreed to return it, but the return did not take place until 61 years later in 2008 as the cost and challenges were quite high. One of these being, they had to extend the runway in Axum airport to allow for a Boeing airplane to land! On the second day in Axum, the group travelled into the surrounding countryside to Yeha, pre-Axumite temple and church treasury via the battlefield of Adwa. This was a fantastic opportunity to see the landscape of the Tigray region and the dwellings of people in the area, the group made a stop to see a local priests

house on the way. In the evening time, members visited the church compound and male members visited the St Mary of Zion church, the treasury and the reputed site where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Axum was a beautiful little town with a marketplace and lots of interesting places to shop. The next day, the group were on the move again with a flight to Lalibela, a town located in the Amhara region in the mountains 2,500m above sea level. Lalibela is famous for its rock hewn subterranean churches considered to be dated to the 12th and 13th centuries.

There are eleven of these churches each with a different name and style, the most outstanding ones being the independent cruciform Bet Giorgis or Biete Medhane Alem which is the largest monolithic church in the world. The group also visited a church called Nakuto La’ab Cave Church. It is situated in the side of a cliff face at the bottom of a stone staircase. The next place visited was the historic city of Gondar.

Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasilides around the year 1635 and grew as an agricultural and market town.

The first stop was the church named Debre Birhan Selassie meaning Trinity and Mountain of Light. It was a church dating to 17th century surrounding by a walled enclosure with 12 round towers built to defend it during the city’s tumultuous history. There is a medallion on the roof of the church with seven prongs that has an ostrich egg on each prong.

This signifies the seven days of creation.

The most significant feature of this church however is its painted walls and ceilings inside covering every inch. The ceiling has the faces of 80 angels all painted in rows while the walls are painted with scenes.

Next on the agenda for Gondar was a visit to a Castle compound named Fasil Gebbi which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The site is surrounded by high walls and contains six castles and smaller buildings. Most impressive of these castles is Fasilidas’s Castle which was restored in the 1990s and is the most intact of all the buildings in the complex.

The whole complex was largely intact except it was used as a headquarters during the Italian occupation and the British bombed it in 1941. Fasilidas’ Bath was next, it is situated in a beautiful enclosed space with a charming twostorey stone building at its centre which is

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01 Our group enjoying a coffee break in front a local audience after a walk in the Simien Mountains 02 Tour leader Dr. Richard Marsh in the stables of the Royal Enclosure, Gondar 03 Ethiopia trip in May. 04 Exterior of Fasilidas’ Bath

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2,000 square metre sunken pool walled with six stone turrets which has tree trunks and roots snaking around its perimeter. It is said to be a second residence for Fasilidas but there is also a suggestion that was used for religious ceremony.

The members had a slight departure of architecture in the itinerary with a morning walk in the Simien Mountains, it was a chance to see some of the landscape in the national park but also a chance to spot some baboons!

Then we travelled by coach to visit the Village & Women’s Ploughshare Project, which is a self-sufficient farm and workshop that takes in single mothers with their children usually affected by hiv and teaches them skills in pottery, weaving and farming. Members had a lovely opportunity to speak with some of them and buy some of their wares while also enjoying some coffee and popcorn.

fig tree that stood at the centre of a slight elevation. The church is painted internally with intricate detail of martyred saints and religious scenes. The second stop was Zege Peninsula to see another painted church Debre Maryam which is one of the newer monasteries of Lake Tana, having been built by Emperor Tewodros in the 19th century before travelling back to the hotel. Both churches were a great way to become acquainted with the religious and political history of the day. The next day marked the final day of the trip, the group returned to Addis Ababa and enjoyed some shopping before flying out. About half the group stayed to travel further south to enjoy a more relaxed few days in Sub-Saharan Ethiopia visiting places such as Debre Zeit crater lake, Lake Langano, Yirgalem town, Sidama village and Lake Awassa for hippo spotting and bird watching.

That night, we were treated to traditional Ethiopian food as well as enjoyed some local music and dance. The next day, the group travelled by coach to Bahar Dar which was a long three hour journey but a great chance to see the countryside once again. Along the way, Dawood and Richard purchased some Khat off a local seller. It is a plant that is a legal stimulant when chewed. Local farmers and students use it to boost their longevity to work, the taste did not go down well among our members!

The summer programme brought more interesting walking tours with Arran Henderson, starting off with a Victorian and Edwardian Architecture Walking Tour ahead of this autumn’s Victorian Dublin Revealed lecture series. The tour guided members through Victorian and Edwardian buildings and design around the Trinity Campus, Grafton, Kildare Streets and around the Stephen’s Green area.

Next was the Dublin Literature Tour which was something different for our members exploring forgotten spaces and forgotten figures of Irish literature, page and stage. An exploration of the Capel Street Area, which is an area that has been shaped by developments over centuries covering the quays and the Wide Streets Commissioners, medieval markets and abbeys, a Victorian tram depot, courthouses, prisons and more: an intriguing mix of Medieval, Early Modern, Georgian and 19th century, history, archaeology & architectural history.

The next tour was to discover and learn about the Liberties and St. Audeons by walking the streets, squares and back-lanes of the Liberties and the newly remodelled St Audeons Park.

The tour featured social, religious and architectural history around Dillon St., Dean Swift Square, Francis St. and Iveagh Markets; as well as Francis St., Meath St., Reginald St; Brabizon and Grey Squares; the old Frawleys’ site and former Fade Bank (both newly restored and re-purposed) Saint Catherine’s church, St. Augustine and St John, and finally the fabulous newly remodelled and re-imagined Saint Audoen’s Park, which now incorporates the last surviving gate of the old medieval walls.

The group arrived by lunchtime and then headed out by lunchtime to visit the Blue Nile falls. The landscape was greener and full of crops as there has been irrigation systems put in supplied by the nearby Blue Nile. To get to the falls, the group had to walk in the rain and get a boat across the (crocodile invested) Blue Nile.

The falls are estimated to be between 37 and 45 meters high, consisting of four streams that originally varied from a trickle in the dry season to over 400 meters wide in the rainy season.

The group after the final dinner in the hotel went out to a local club to see some dancing.

The final day was spent on a boat exploring Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile fall and the largest lake in Ethiopia. As well as enjoying the scenery and pelican spotting, the boat made two stops to see churches. The first church named Narga Selassie meaning ‘Trinity of the Rest’ which is situated on the largest island on Lake Tana. A circular shape, the church was constructed by Empress Mentewab in the late 18th century, apparently using as construction material for doors and roof a gigantic sycamore

For our annual Summer Garden Party, members enjoyed refreshments in Durhamstown Castle.

Durhamstown has been continuously occupied since 1420 and once belonged to the 1st Earl of Essex, Lord Deputy of Ireland in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Since 1996, it has been the home of Dave and Sue Prickett who welcome guests there for special events and have restored the 600-year-old property.

In August, twelve members travelled by boat to Lambay Island. They were met by Alex Baring who is a descendent of the Hon. Cecil Baring, later 3rd Lord Revelstoke who moved to the Island in the early 20th century. Alex Baring gave them a tour of Lambay Castle designed by Sir Edward Lutyens who incorporated the castle into an existing structure on the island.

Most recently, Pat Murray arranged another packed picnic tour visiting ruins, follies and castles of County Wexford. The group visited Ferns Castle, Coolbawn Ruin, Wilton Castle, Woodbrook House where they had lunch, Castleboro and Wells House.

Chapter Reports Elizabeth Fogarty, Ailish Drake, Kevin Hurley, Stuart Blakley & Michael G. Kerrigan

With Chapters in Birr, Limerick and Cork in Ireland, and overseas in London, New York, Chicago, Boston and Austin, members can enjoy talks and events in Ireland and abroad as the various reports for happenings over the last twelve months show.

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Birr/Midlands Chapter Elizabeth Fogarty The Birr/Midlands Chapter having celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018 focused on exploring destinations of interest around the country in 2019, whilst keeping in mind two of its priorities, including the Famous and Notable's trail (FAN Trail) which now boasts 27 blue plaques and continued to be a focus for visitors to Birr and the repatriation of the Eyrecourt Staircase which continues to be on the agenda of the Birr/Midlands Chapter committee but despite various efforts, has made little progress over the past year.

In November, the Chapter was represented by John Joyce, Chair and Elizabeth Fogarty, Hon Secretary at the IGS annual meeting at Abbey Leix.

The 24th annual meeting of the Chapter took place on 13 November with an address from the Patron and a report from the Chair. The existing committee was re-elected and 3 new members added.

The annual Christmas party at Birr Castle on Friday 7 December was graciously hosted by Lord and Lady Rosse. The event was well attended by members and friends, including Michael Parsons, Chair of the Heritage Council and Donough Cahill, Executive Director of igs.

Throughout 2019, the Chapter visited many great houses. Chapter members were hosted by Mary and Tom Alexander of Gloster House just outside Birr on 11 June, visiting both the Folly and the house which dates from the early 18th century. On 29 June, members and friends visited Charleville House in Tullamore, in Co. Offaly. Built by Charles William Bury, Earl of Charleville and designed by Francis Johnston, it is one of the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in the country. On this same trip members visited Boland’s Lock, and were welcomed by the current owner Martin O’Rourke. Located on the 26th Lock of the Grand Canal, "Boland's Lock" was built as a lock-keeper's house, it is a two-storey building with an unusual combination of rounded ends and a projecting castellated (with battlements) bow to front.

Limerick Chapter Ailish Drake Chapter members and friends enjoyed a tour of Kildare’s houses on 28 July.

We were welcomed by proprietor Michael de las Casas to Larchill House and Arcadian Gardens, near Kilcock.

Larchill Arcadian Garden is a ‘ferme ornee’ (or ornamental farm) created between 1740-80, and is the only surviving, almost complete, one of its type known in Europe. Following this Robert Wilson-Wright welcomed our group to Coolcarrigan House, Church and Gardens, near Naas. After a delicious lunch, we were guided through the gardens, with their most impressive collection of plants recently introduced from the wild, before ending with a visit to the Church, founded in 1881 and consecrated as a Church of Ireland church in 1885 by Archbishop Lord Plunkett.

Some Irish text on the walls was chosen

by Douglas Hyde who was a family friend and later the first President of Ireland (1938 to 1945). The day tour concluded at Harristown House, where our group was welcomed by Hubert Beaumont, whose family has inhabited the house since 1946.

Built in the latter part of the 18th century, then rebuilt by James Franklin Fuller after a fire in the 1890s, the La Touche family lived in the house until 1920.

01 Chapter members visit Charleville Castle in Co. Offaly (June 2019) 02 Chapter visit to Harristown House, Co. Kildare in July, Lord and Lady Rosse, with Hubert Beaumont 01

Elizabeth Fogarty Chapter Secretary

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In Spring, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht joined us in Limerick for the Heritage 2030 public consultation evening. We wish to give special thanks to our speakers at the event Ms. Giulia Vallone, Ms. Grainne Shaffrey, Mr. Donough Cahill, Mr. Tom Cassidy and Mr. Niall O Donnochu. There were 85 members of the public in attendance at the evening and contributed eloquently to the discussion. The Chapter made a submission to the Heritage 2030, which was shared with the consultation participants and on our ezine.

We would also like to thank our Spring Speakers, Rosie Webb and Triona Waters.

Rosie Webb is the Senior Architect in Economic Development at Limerick City and County Council. She leads programmes of work to stimulate and consolidate the historic city centres of Limerick City, its towns and villages.

She provides strategic vision and plan implementation using projects, programmes and initiatives dedicated to place-making and physical development.

She presented an inspiring talk on the work she is doing on the revitalisation of Limerick’s Georgian Neighbourhood.

Triona Waters is a PhD Researcher and Departmental Assistant in Irish Psychiatric History at the Department of History, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. She recently received the Royal College of Physicians' Medical History Research Award, 2018. Her wonderful talk focused on the Limerick House of Industry and the Limerick District Lunatic Asylum (St. Joseph's Psychiatric Hospital) and featured the City Workhouse and the Limerick City Gaol / Limerick City and County Gaol.

The Limerick Chapter made several planning submissions in the last year.

The proposed Opera Site development on Rutland Street and Denmark Street includes a fourteen-storey tower. We made a submission to An Bord Pleanála that the impact of this tower on the historic riverside views of the city was significant. abp have since issued a request for further information to the design team to examine this impact.

We also made a submission on the proposed refurbishment of the 1960s gpo on Lower Cecil Street. The ground floor treatment called for the removal of black mosaic tiles and very attractive Oifig an Phoist signage. The planning was subsequently granted with the condition that these elements be retained.

Plans for O’Connell Street are currently in Part 8 Public Consultation.

Following a number of years in design and consultation we are disappointed that through traffic remains the core principle driving the design concept of our greatest street. While walking and cycling should be prioritised, a two-lane, one-way, thoroughfare remains. The planning documents fail to include surveys of the existing underground cellars and sewers.

The Limerick Chapter are currently preparing a submission on the scheme due to be lodged in September.

The Limerick Chapter have been included as key stakeholders for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. Traffic Management policies including potential changes to traffic circulation in Limerick City Centre, will be our key focus. The current traffic circulation has had a significant negative impact on the historic town centre.

A revised strategy which explores positive and sustainable mobility modes of walking, cycling at public transport could have a transformative effect on Limerick's city centre. The chapter are currently preparing their submission.

The Limerick Chapter thank Madam Olda Fitzgerald, Glin Castle, for a wonderful visit in June. Everyone who came along had a marvellous time on the tour and the delicious afternoon tea was appreciated by all. Thank you to Claire Whyte and Tessa Greally for organising the tour. We were also delighted to host the Young Irish Georgians in Limerick this August. Special thanks to Judith Hill, Liam Irwin and Rose Anne White for guiding the group on various tours during the day.

Ailish Drake, Chapter Head B Arch. Sc., ma mrai

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01 Cork Chapter members seated in : St. Mary's Church of Ireland, Doneraile (July 2019) 02 Arthur Montgomery speaking at St. Mary's Church, Doneraile (July 2019)

Cork Chapter Kevin Hurley All good things come to those who wait, and so it was when Doneraile Court was officially opened on the 22 June 2019 by Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State for the opw and Flood Relief with much fanfare and accompanied by a large group of distinguished invitees including many Georgian Society luminaries. Mary Heffernan of the opw Historic Properties Division was fulsome in her praise for Arthur Montgomery’s involvement and enthusiasm for the project. He was invited to the podium on the day of the official launch and was feted by one and all. There was an accompanying festival in the town which was decked out in bunting and there was a palpable sense of excitement throughout the day.

Arthur Montgomery has always been associated with Doneraile Court from his days as a teenager cycling to the court to visit Lady Doneraile and observing over time the deterioration of the house.

With the passing of Lady Doneraile the contents were sold off and the house closed up. There was a great sense of optimism when the Society leased the building and commenced restoration works largely overseen by Arthur Montgomery. Each newsletter bought some good news on the restoration front or some benefit invariably organised

by Edmund Corrigan. Funding the restoration of the house was always a challenge and every year volunteers came from all over the globe to contribute to the restoration programme.

Eventually works to conserve the house were completed in 1994 and the house handed over to the government.

While the grounds were open to the public, the house remained firmly shut.

Thereafter, it languished and suffered from vandalism until the café was established in the old kitchens of the house. The extensive grounds were as popular as ever and a playground was installed that brought in even more people to the grounds of the house.

The Doneraile Development Association were also applying pressure to have something done with the house.

This culminated in the decision to finally

open the house twenty-five years on from the original hand-over by the Society.

The Cork Chapter sought to acknowledge and honour Arthur Montgomery’s lifetime involvement with Doneraile Court and a special day was organised on Saturday 13 July to mark the occasion. The day began at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Doneraile that contains many St. Leger monuments where Arthur spoke of his earliest experiences and the subsequent restoration programme he supervised Our members adjourned for lunch and the afternoon programme was based in Laurentinum House, home to Eileen Magner-Smith and Michael Smith. They brought us around their magnificently restored eighteenth century house and grounds that has been a labour of love for over twenty years. They generously provided welcome refreshments on a glorious day.

Restoration and conservation featured in our September 2018 visit to Killarney House (Kenmare House) that was the seat of the Brownes, later Earls of Kenmare.

The present house was originally the stable-block of a demolished earlyeighteenth century house. Neglected in recent years, it was magnificently restored by the opw in 2017. Knockreer House was built on the site of the destroyed Victorian Tudor mansion to a design by Francis Pollen for Mrs. Beatrice Grosvenor, niece of the 7th Earl of Kenmare. We then visited St. Mary’s Church of Ireland originally designed

by William Atkins and later rebuilt by J.F. Fuller following a fire. St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral was designed by a.w.n.

Pugin and later extended by Ashlin and Coleman. It also contains the Kenmare Chantry Chapel, burial place of the Earls of Kenmare.

Our Christmas event in November 2018 was centred on Nano Nagle Place, a heritage centre, archive, shop and café. The Cork School of Architecture is housed in a contemporary building designed by jca Architects. Here we heard all about the famous Mary Delany from Kristina Decker, a recipient of the

2017 Desmond Guinness Scholarship for her study "Women and Improvement in Eighteenth-Century Ireland: The Case of Mary Delany". Afterwards, members enjoyed lunch in the sumptuous festive surroundings of Hayfield Manor.

Our first visit of 2019 took place to Tracton, south of Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

There was a tour of the deconsecrated Church of Ireland church that has been converted to a private home. After the visit, members enjoyed lunch hosted at the home of our Patron, Edmund Corrigan. After lunch, we screened the film the ‘The Raj in the Rain’, a production that was filmed over a number of years and looks at the remnants of the Protestant ‘Ascendancy’.

A wistful commentary of a lost past.

As ever, I would like to extend my thanks to the Cork Chapter committee: Dr. Alicia St. Leger, Catherine FitzMaurice, Edmund Corrigan (Patron), Geraldine O’Riordan and Marianne Harris.

Kevin Hurley Chapter Head

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IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19

Irish Georgian Society London Stuart Blakley It was a busy 12 months for igs London, from lectures and country house visits to auctions and urban outings. In tandem, our Young Irish Georgians (yigs) went from strength to strength with a range of activities. Our Autumn/Winter programme began with a visit arranged

by John Barber to two contrasting houses in Sussex: Firle Place and Farleys House.

Firle Place is a Tudor house rebuilt in the 18th century using the stones of the original building, proving salvage is not a new concept! Farleys House is best known as the former home of Surrealists Lee Miller and Roland Penrose.

A visit to Bristol in September arranged by Robert Jennings, with help from Stephen Grey-Harris, had a packed agenda. Highlights included: lunch in the city’s oldest members’ club, Clifton Club; a visit to Stephen’s eponymous jewellers and antiques shop, Grey Harris; and a tour of Tyntesfield, one of England’s finest Victorian houses.

Our first yig event of the season was a drinks party at Viscount Jocelyn and Tara Craig’s residence in Chelsea. Proceeds raised through a raffle were in aid of Leixlip Boathouse.

Ashleigh Murray arranged a visit to Draper’s Hall which belongs to one of the Livery Companies in the City of London. The original building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, 1666, and has been subsequently rebuilt several times. yig Mairéad Ní Cheoinín coordinated our first autumn lecture: 'The Big House in Ireland, Reminiscences of an Irish Auctioneer'. Our lecturer was the knowledgeable and witty Fonsie Mealy, one of Ireland’s leading fine art and antiques auctioneers. Our second autumn lecture, arranged by Ashleigh, was on shell houses and grotto decoration. One of the best known examples presented by speakers Gerald and Margaret Hull was the shell house at Curraghmore, County Waterford.

A pre-Christmas yig Secret Supper was arranged by Nat Nicholson, with help from Ashleigh and John Barber. The venue was the 18th century House Mill, Stratford. Chef Lottie Brook provided

delicious food, and cocktails were compliments of Lambay Island Whiskey.

A £640 profit was donated to the Leixlip Boathouse conservation fund. Organised

by Tim and Marylyn Bacon, the preChristmas Dinner at The Reform Club was our last event of 2018. An auction

by John Barber raised over £3,000!

Our first event of 2019, organised by Ashleigh, was a lecture by Christopher Moore, former Chairman of the Castletown Foundation. He presented an appraisal of Castletown, County Kildare, as a symbol of 18th century Irish nationalism, an architectural ensemble and a museum. Ashleigh also organised a tour of City of London Churches, including several by Sir Christopher Wren. Tony Tucker, Trustee of the Friends of the City Churches, was our distinguished guide.

Our traditional St Patrick’s Day Party included an overview of the Society’s Irish activities by Executive Director Donough Cahill, followed by a review of the 2018 Conservation Grants Scheme (funded by London) and our annual overview of London events by Stuart Blakley. The Spring/Summer programme opened with a visit to Meon Valley in Hampshire organised by Stuart.

Members visited a medieval court house and a Capability Brown designed folly owned by renowned art aficionado William Thuillier.

Esme Fay instructed guide Dr Cindy Lawford to take members on a tour of Jermyn Street in Piccadilly. This was a fascinating look behind-the-scenes at traditional shops from perfumeries to shoemakers. Soon after, yig Logan Morse held a blackjack party at her residence in Fulham which helped raise funds for the Society. The annual Country House Tour with the 20-Ghost Club was to northwest Ireland. Arranged by John Redmill, members stayed in Markree Castle and visited various country houses including Annaghmore and Coopershill, enjoying driving on quiet rural roads.

In June, Byron Fry invited fellow yigs to his “Lord Byron’s Travels” themed drinks party at his residence in Parsons Green. The party raised funds for the restoration of Edward Pugin’s St Kevin’s Church in Dublin. The following month, John Barber organised a visit to Lennox Cato’s gallery in Kent, star of the Antiques Roadshow. We ended our 12 month programme in style with our Summer Party, this year held at All Saints Church, Epping, near the home of organisers John Barber and John Nolan.

Sadly, esteemed IGS member Min Hogg, Founding Editor of The World of Interiors, passed away in July; she will be greatly missed. To conclude, igs London is entirely run on a voluntary basis and we are grateful to all Committee members who continue to provide assistance. We are also thankful to the continuing support from our London members, as well as the owners of places that we have visited. We look forward to a full calendar of fascinating events in the coming year.

Stuart Blakley Committee Member

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There have been many exciting developments in the United States over the last twelve months and we are eager to share them with you. Our adventures over the past year took us to Ireland several times as well. We will also report on events in New York, Charleston, Chicago and Palm Beach. Our American Board has been instrumental in all our efforts, so much appreciation to all of them for their hard work in helping the Society grow. Also exciting to report is that we have two new board members on the American Board, Lisa (Kipper) Lance Hendrick and Jay Frederick Krehbiel, both of whom are based in Chicago. Kipper worked for over ten years as the Director of Marketing for the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach before moving to Chicago. Kipper is married to George (Bud) Hendrick.

We are delighted to have Kipper join the board and to have both Kipper and Bud as active members of the Chicago Chapter Committee. We are also delighted to welcome Jay to the board of directors. His depth of knowledge of the Society, of Georgian Ireland and his strong business background make us fortunate to have him as a board member.

John Nankivell Exhibition Launch, Dublin

01 Chapter Committee members Stuart Blakley and Ashleigh Murray at Kenwood House (Image courtesy of Abi Bansal/English Heritage) 02 A Gentle Stroll Down Jermyn Street, walking tour with Dr Cindy Lawford PhD, April 2019 03 Visit to Lennox Cato’s Antique Gallery, Edenbridge, July 2019 04 20 Ghost Club tour of North-West Ireland at Strokestown House, Co. Roscommon, May 2019

The new season opened with a visit to Dublin to attend the opening of the exhibition of John Nankivell's drawings, Vain Transitory Splendours, The Irish Country House and the Art of John Nankivell, on 4 September at the City Assembly House. American Board member Susan Burke and her husband Coley, who helped make the exhibition possible, were on hand for the launch.

That evening Susan and Coley hosted an elegant dinner at the Kildare Street and University Club in honor of John Nankivell and his wife.

Autumn Events Late October found us in New York for a series of Society related events.

The Links Club on New York’s upper East Side was the setting for an elegant luncheon hosted by American Board chair Beth Dater for Leonie Frieda on the occasion of the American launch of her new book, Francis I. Robert O’Byrne was on hand to interview Leonie, which made for a very entertaining event.

The New York Gala Dinner was held at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center on 24 October. We have American Board member Steve Zick to thank for arranging to have the Dinner at Christie’s. The guest of honor was Beth Dater, the Chair of the American Board of Directors, who was awarded the Society of Artists Medal for her leadership and support of the Society on both sides of the Atlantic. American members of the Society came out in full force to celebrate Beth and her husband Mitch Jennings for everything they have done for the Society. A series of friends made remarks about Beth and her involvement with the Society.

The list included Gregory Long, the Executive Director Emeritus of the New York Botanical Garden, Robert O’Byrne who composed a poem/song set to the popular Cole Porter tune, You’re the Top, with new lyrics to honour Beth. Sir David Davies, the President of the Society, awarded Beth with the Society of Artists Medal. Her medal was inscribed with the words “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty”. Beth received her award graciously and said the work and relationships formed through her involvement with the Society have meant a great deal to her.

26 October of the same week found us in Chicago for the Chicago Gala Dinner at The Casino. Jamie MacGuire, the author of Real Lace Revisited, Inside the Hidden World of America’s Irish Aristocracy, was the speaker. A video was shown about some of the Building Conservation Fund projects underway, such as the restoration of the Leixlip Boathouse, renovations at Curraghmore in

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Co. Waterford and Myrtle Grove in Youghal, Co. Cork. Saturday night there was a Dinner at The Racquet Club of Chicago for Leonie Frieda’s new book, hosted by Fred and Kay Krehbiel for their friends, including many members of the Society.

29 October found us in Charleston, South Carolina at the Charleston Library Society for Jamie MacGuire’s talk there based on his book, Real Lace Revisited. The next evening American Board member Marti Sullivan and her husband Austin hosted friends of the Society for a lecture, reception and dinner at the Yeamans Hall Club just outside Charleston, a beautiful club with grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm. Drinks on the terrace were followed by a presentation by Donough Cahill and Robert O’Byrne and a dinner in the elegant dining room.

In November we were delighted to be invited by the Royal Oak Foundation, the American arm of the British National Trust, to be a co-sponsor of a series of talks given by William Burlington, the Earl of Burlington, about Lismore Castle in Co. Waterford on the banks of the River Blackwater. The talks were held in Philadelphia, Chicago and New York City.

In early December, O’Sullivan Antiques in New York City was the setting for the American book launch of Ireland, by Susan Wood Richardson, the well-known photographer and longtime supporter of the Society.

Spring 2019

01 Tom and Jane Kearns, Bob and Vicki Borden at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival tour 02 Alan Lougee and Cynthia Espy at the Chicago Gala Dinner 03 Cynthia Olsen and Robert O'Byrne at Chicago Gala 04 Fred Krehbiel, Laurie Weed and Meredith Moriarty at Chicago Gala in the University Club 05 Marie Hayes and Barry Connor at Chicago Gala

Our March calendar was very busy with a series of events in Palm Beach, Florida which proved to be very popular. The week of 4 March began with the American Board gathering for a Strategic Planning Meeting followed by a board meeting. On Tuesday Robert O’Byrne spoke to a capacity filled room at The Brazilian Court about the philanthropist and art collector, Sir Hugh Lane. Board member Tom Tormey and his wife Denise hosted the High Tea/Luncheon. Later that evening, Beth Dater hosted a Welcome Dinner for the American Board and friends of

the Society at Renato’s in Palm Beach.

The next evening John and Nonie Sullivan hosted a fundraising Cocktail Party at Club Colette on the terrace, a beautiful evening enjoyed by all.

Friday evening Nancy and Glen Traylor hosted a cocktail party for the American Board and friends to welcome John Crichton, the Earl of Erne and his fiancé Harriet, to Palm Beach.

At the end of May, a group of American members of the Society joined us in Ireland for a tour in the capable hands of Robert O’Byrne.

Our destination was Lismore in Co. Waterford where we attended the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival chaired

by Irish Board member Michael AlenBuckley. We stayed in Lismore and made day trips to a series of beautiful country houses including Kilshannig House in Co. Cork, Tourin House, Cappoquin House and Strancally Castle on the shores of the Blackwater. We attended a series of delightful concerts at Dromore Yards on the Blackwater and at Lismore Castle for the Gala Dinner and opera performance on Saturday night, 1 June. We then headed for Ardmore in Co. Waterford where we stayed at The Cliff House Hotel and spent the day at Curraghmore in Co. Waterford where we were hosted by Lord and Lady Waterford, who treated us to an entertaining luncheon and a tour of the house and grounds. David Sheehan, the restoration architect, also joined us to discuss conservation work taking place there. We ended the tour in Dublin at The Merrion Hotel for a farewell dinner.

June also turned out to be a busy month. We were fortunate to have Professor Leo Damrosch speak at The Casino in Chicago about his new book, The Club, Johnson, Boswell and the Friends Who Shaped an Age, on Tuesday, 18 June, followed by an elegant dinner in the Drawing Room.

We look forward to seeing everyone and invite you to join us in Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Chicago this Autumn where we are hosting a series of events and lectures.

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01 Nancy and Glen Traylor at Chicago Gala 02 Beth Dater and Sir David Davies at the New York Gala Dinner 03 Beth Dater and Susan Burke at New York Gala 04 Delia Roche Kelly and Ellen Fitzsimons at New York Gala 05 The Kearns and Bordens at the New York Gala

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