Irish Georgian Society Review

2014

The vision of the Irish Georgian Society is to conserve, protect and foster an interest and a respect for Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architectural heritage and decorative arts. www.igs.ie

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

Irish Georgian Society 858 W Armitage Avenue Suite 286 Chicago, Illinois 60614

Irish Georgian Society 115 East 89th - Apt. 3B, New York, NY 10128, USA

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

T + 312 324 4220 E info@irishgeorgiansociety.com

T + 212 534 4849 E irishgeorgian@nyc.rr.com

The Irish Georgian Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 John Ryan, active 1780-1801. Anne Bingham, wife of Christopher St George of Tyrone, c. 1785. Oil on canvas. Collection of Peter Clayton Mark. Photo: Jamie Stukenberg, Professional Graphics.

In this issue Regulars

Features

President’s Letter Patrick Guinness

The New Conservation Grants Scheme Ashleigh Murray

Since mid-2013, many exciting activities have been undertaken by the Society; our president casts an eye on some significant happenings.

Revival of our Grants Scheme is welcome as the expense of maintaining significant buildings can be prohibitive for owners.

Heritage Update Donough Cahill

Advocacy and planning issues monitored by IGS including Observations on Wesport House by Dr Edward McParland and Casino, Marino by William Cumming. 20

Conservation & Outreach Programme Emmeline Henderson

Education is a vital part of our work as this review of Study Days and the Traditional Building Skills exhibition shows. 42

Members’ Memories Pat Murray & Letitia Pollard

What this Society means to us.

Events Round-Up Doreen McNamara

IGS Architectural Conservation Awards 2014 Mary Bryan

Conservation work on private houses, public buildings and active and redundant churches recognised by the IGS. Observations on Westport House 24 Edward McParland Similarities in style of decoration at Westport House and Clonbrock in neighbouring Co Galway suggest work by architect William Leeson 26

Casino, Marino William Cumming

Some thoughts on the situation of the Casino at Marino

An overview of the many interesting talks, walks and outings of the last fifteen months.

All across Ireland there are examples of historic wallpaper, in varying states of preservation. David Skinner’s indepth research resulted in this magnificent book by Churchill Press.

Chapter Reports Birr John Joyce Cork Kevin Hurley Limerick Dr Ursula Callaghan Waterford Dean Maria Jansson London John R Redmill & Ashleigh Murray IGS Inc. Maribeth Welsh

Wallpaper in Ireland David Skinner

Priorities and Actions for the Society to 2020 Dr David Fleming

Work is ongoing on the Society’s plans for its future direction and plans. 36

Ireland in Chicago Leslie Fitzpatrick

In March 2015, The Art Institute of Chicago will host an exhibition of fine and decorative arts from North American collections entitled Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840. Editor Letitia Pollard Committee Member

Editorial Committee Donough Cahill Executive Director Rose Mary Craig Committee Member

Lady Anne Dawson Temple By John R Redmill

Beauty restored: from the shattered remains of the damaged monument to its present restored state, the Lady Anne Dawson memorial is once-again a fine memorial

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President’s Letter Patrick Guinness

Since mid-2013, many exciting activities have been undertaken by the Society; our president casts an eye on some significant happenings. It’s been a busy time as staff, members and the public in general get used to our lovely building on South William Street being open once more. People are now accustomed to coming here for lectures, exhibitions, meetings or simply to browse and buy in our small bookshop. The beginning of phase two of restoration is coming ever nearer and we look forward to steady progress towards completion so the building can pay its way and allow us to consider preservation projects elsewhere. As recorded in the previous newsletter, Dr David Fleming has been appointed as Chairman of the Irish Georgian Foundation. David reviewed, drafted and secured approval of all necessary governance requirements and in this issue brings members up-to-date on our strategy plans to 2020. This year also saw the reactivation of our Conservation Grants Scheme through the generosity of the London Chapter. I would particularly like to thank John Redmill, Chairman (until August 2014), for encouraging the London Chapter in their work in raising funds towards this grants scheme. This scheme is an important element for those seeking financial assistance towards conserving Ireland’s built heritage. Indeed, John Redmill has been a very significant person in our Society for over 40 years and his commitment and involvement in so many aspects of our work over that time is astounding. John has worked as a Project and/ or Consultant Grade 1 conservation architect on many well-known houses, such as Castletown, Russborough, Casino at Marino, Borris, Gloster, and the cathedral buildings at Waterford and Kilmore, Co Cavan. Additionally, he has served on many committees, inspired an exhaustive range of study

days and outings, given talks and shared his knowledge of buildings generously. Although he retired as Chairman of the London Chapter at the end of August, I am happy to announce that John has been appointed as a Vice-President and we look forward to his continued involvement with the Irish Georgian Foundation in the future. Plans are afoot for the expansion of membership in both Britain and the USA where Robert O’Byrne, the VP of the Irish Georgian Society, has been laying foundations for new chapters in Boston and Texas, in addition to those in New York, Chicago and Palm Beach. There have been changes too in the USA, as the current executive director, Maribeth Welsh, retires at the end of the year, with Michael Kerrigan, Chicago Chapter, taking over the baton. During the September visit by members of IGS Inc. to Ireland, Maribeth’s work was acknowledged at a gathering in Sandymount. Members in the US are looking forward to the Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840 exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. In Dublin, we have appointed a Development Manager, Paula McDermott (see adjoining panel), whose knowledge and expertise in fundraising has already shown dividends since her arrival in August. As well as a big thank you to our staff, donors and volunteers, who all seem to do more than is expected, I would like to include special thanks to our members and supporters. We value your help, support and feedback – in person or, increasingly, through social media.

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Bequest Gift Creates new Development Role Things are moving apace in the new development role at the Irish Georgian Society. In August, Paula McDermott, Development Manager, orientated herself through the myriad of activities that the Society schedules and has now embarked on the task of funding the core IGS programmes and conservation projects. The role of Development Manager was made possible by a legacy gift of Mrs Elizabeth Burke, a longstanding member of the Society. Our members and supporters can make an extraordinary impact on the future of the IGS with a legacy gift, once family and friends have been prioritised. Mrs Elizabeth Burkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift is just one example. If you are considering including the Society in your will and you would like to discuss this in confidence, please contact Paula McDermott on + 353 1 679 8675. Paulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work has already begun, meeting with potential corporate donors and reaching out to IGS members for support in Phase 2 of the restoration of City Assembly House. Bringing Phase 2 to completion requires funding for interior and exterior works as well as universal access within City Assembly House. Members will be encouraged to contribute at whatever level suits them best to see this work come to fruition. Paula McDermott can be contacted on + 353 1 679 8675 or by email at paula. mcdermott@igs.ie

I am particularly conscious that I am working for the Irish Georgian Society on behalf of the legatee, Mrs Elizabeth Burke, who forethought to allocate this important gift to the IGS in her will.If I had the opportunity now I would acknowledge and thank Mrs Burke for her generous gift. Her decision has enormously positive consequences for the Society, providing employment and funding for IGS services. Paula McDermott

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Heritage Update Donough Cahill

ESB The Irish Georgian Society submitted an observation to Dublin City Council on the ESB’s recent planning application for the redevelopment of their HQ premises on Fitzwilliam Street. Built amongst huge controversy in the 1960s to the designs of the architect Sam Stephenson, the development proposal envisages a new façade inspired by the surrounding Georgian streetscape, the construction of new office blocks, and the refurbishment for residential use of a number of protected structures. In its observation, the Society highlighted its concerns about the visual impact of the development on the Historic City of Dublin and noted the need for further information to allow a fuller assessment of its scale, bulk and height. Specifically, the Society noted that the impact of the proposed development, when viewed from the piano nobile, is not

discussed in the EIS and that a desktop mapping exercise had demonstrated the potential for visual impacts, when viewed from protected structures in the following areas: Merrion Square North, Merrion Square South, Mount Street Upper, Mount Street Lower, Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Baggot Street Lower, Fitzwilliam Square South. Noting the aspirations of the Future of the South Georgian Core initiative and of the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017 to reintroduce residential uses to the South Georgian Core, the Society noted that the EIS did not discuss the impact of the proposed development on the rear gardens of protected structures in the vicinity of the site. It was noted that a desktop mapping analysis indicated that the proposed development has the potential for visual impacts when viewed from the rear gardens of protected structures in the following areas: Merrion Square South and

Over the past year, the Society’s Architectural Conservation & Planning Committee has been occupied in making submissions and observations on a range of matters relating to the protection and conservation of our architectural heritage. Here Executive Director Donough Cahill gives an update on current concerns and activities.

01 Describing Architecture, one of the many exhibitions held at the City Assembly House during the year 02 Attendees at the World Flower Show visited for a welcome reception 03 The O’Connell Room has been enhanced by the portraits (on loan) of members of the Earl of Shannon’s family 04—05 Belline in happier days, and after its collapse last summer

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Rustic Temple Lodge, Belline, Co. Kilkenny Following the collapse last year of the unique Rustic Temple Lodge at Belline, Co. Kilkenny, a desultory fine of €2,000 plus costs was issued to the building’s owner by the District Court. This meaningless penalty followed efforts by Kilkenny County Council to secure the building which included a pledge of €25,000 through the Structures at Risk Fund and the potential of further funding of €10,000 from the IGS London Chapter. Such funds will ensure a full record of the building. To facilitate its potential reconstruction at a later date, Kilkenny County Council is currently endeavouring to safeguard its remains and to complete a detailed recording of the building. Belline demesne, together with its three storey over-basement Georgian house, an assemblage of estate buildings, and its parkland, is currently on the market through Sherry Fitzgerald Auctioneers. It is hoped that a sympathetic buyer will be secured who will have the interest and capacity to reinstate the Temple Lodge and to manage Belline so that it can be appreciated by future generations.

Baggot Street, Mount Street Upper and Fitzwilliam Street Upper.In a request for additional information issued to the applicants in mid-September, Dublin City Council noted its “serious concerns regarding the visual impact of the proposed development as viewed along sensitive view corridors in the South Georgian City”. Furthermore, it asked the applicants to “respond to these concerns by reviewing the height and massing of the proposed development”. The IGS is awaiting a response. Living City Initiative In July 2014, Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, announced that an application for EU State Aid approval had been submitted which, if successful, will see the introduction of the Living City Initiative. This new initiative was announced in the Finance Bill 2013 and aims, through a tax relief incentive, to attract investment

specifically to the Georgian cores of Limerick and Waterford, to encourage “people back to the centre of Irish cities, to live in historic buildings” through a tax relief incentive. At that time the Irish Georgian Society made a number of recommendations relating to the period and size of eligible of buildings, to issues relating to subdivision, and to provisions that were made regarding the cost of works. Subsequent to this, the Society made further submissions in which we welcomed the extension of the scheme to include Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin cities. If EU approval is secured, the specific urban areas to benefit from the scheme will be announced although, according to the Minister for Finance, the scheme will not become “a wide-spread initiative, as it is targeted at those buildings in areas which are most in need of attention”.

Passport Office, Molesworth Street Following a grant of planning permission earlier this year, the oppressively dreary 1970s-built Passport Office on Molesworth Street is set to be demolished and replaced by a new office building. Sadly this makes no attempt to respect or enhance the character and composition of the Georgian streetscapes of Molesworth Street or South Frederick Street which have seen the loss of much of their historic building stock over the last fifty years. Given the architectural interest of the surviving historic buildings in the area including Leinster House, and given the listing of historic Dublin is on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites, it would seem that there has been a missed opportunity to greatly enhance the streetscape one which may take another generation to reverse.

HERITAGE UPDATE

01—02 Castletown Cox, Co. Kilkenny, where the demesne and surrounding landscape could be changed forever by the arrival of pylons 03 Proposal for replacement ESB headquarters on Fitzwilliam Street 04 The streetscape of Molesworth Street, before the current Passport Office was built in the 1970s 05 Part of Limerick’s important Georgian core.

Grid Link project The Grid Link Project proposes the development of a major new electricity transmission grid that would see the construction of new overhead power lines through counties Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare. EirGrid plc., the company driving the proposal, opened a public consultation in Autumn 2013 seeking feedback on proposed 1km wide routes, within which electricity pylons would be constructed to carry the new power lines. The Irish Georgian Society made a robust submission as part of this process in which we emphasised the crucial importance of ensuring the design and routing of the Grid Link project take into account the special contribution made by architectural heritage to the Irish economy and the vital need to ensure the protection of that architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage into the future. The Society drew particular attention to the following historic houses and parklands that could be detrimentally affected by the scheme: Burtown House is an early 18th -century house in Co. Carlow with important gardens and its attendant grounds lies directly beneath the centreline of one of the proposed corridors. Burtown has recently been the subject of considerable investment to secure the fabric of the house and its outbuildings and to allow the development of its gardens. Together, these works have been successful in making Burtown an important additional destination for tourism which could be undermined by the proposed EirGrid scheme . Berkeley Forest, Co. Wexford, is a 17th-century house that was subsequently remodelled at the end of the 18th century. The house is laid out with its main rooms on the first floor, thereby maximising the impact of views, that looking down over a miniature parkland and focusing on the conspicuous topographical feature of Brandon Hill. The setting of Berkeley Forest and its demesne could be significantly compromised by the EirGrid development, as it lies within one of the proposed route corridors. Castletown Cox, Co. Kilkenny, is set in the valley of the Suir river and is one of the finest 18-century buildings in Ireland. The house, its outbuildings and its surrounding designed landscape have been meticulously restored by the current owner making the

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

ensemble a national treasure. The setting and views from within the house and its parklands are threatened by two of the proposed pylon route options: the first of these would see 60m-high pylons constructed within vistas from the principal rooms of the house whilst the second route option could see pylons constructed through its parkland landscape, intersecting avenues and carving through its woodland. On stretches of the Blackwater River in south Co. Waterford, the EirGrid proposals could see pylons marching across one of the country’s most picturesque landscapes and impacting significantly on the setting of architecturally important houses built along its banks. Of particular concern is the impact the proposals would have on Strancally Castle which has been restored in recent years by its owners), on Headborough House, on Tourin House and Gardens, and on Dromana House – the two latter of which are open to the public and play an important role in the local tourism economy. Lambay Island Lambay Island is of singular heritage importance with a long and complex history of use and habitation spanning many thousands of years. The Lambay Estate is a unique piece of Ireland’s architectural heritage, comprising a National Monument and a complex of protected structures constructed between the 15th century and the early 20th century when it was subject to an important re-design by the architect Edward Lutyens. On a recent planning application to upgrade services and to make alterations to the Lutyens house the IGS made a submission in which we recommended the preparation of a Conservation Management Strategy to deal with issues affecting the built heritage assets on the island. Permission has been granted for the development works which are being guided by a conservation plan for the island as a whole. Review of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006 The IGS commented on a review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 and noted the following: The Society cautioned against the proposed establishment of a minimum

separation distance between residences and wind turbines as, given Ireland’s varied landscapes, it could result in over-reliance on compliance with prescriptive standards. No specific reference was made in the review to the potential impact of wind turbines and their associated works on the built or historic environment or on landscapes of heritage importance. It was suggested that the Guidelines should, therefore, require applicants to demonstrate that the integrity of sites or architectural or designed landscape interest not be compromised. Limerick 2030: An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick The IGS and its Limerick Chapter submitted comments on Limerick 2030: An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick, a document adopted by Limerick City and County Councils. In this submission, the Society supported the objective to place Limerick city centre’s historic core at the focus of regeneration plans for the city, and the recognition that protection of Limerick’s early 19-century architectural heritage should be a component part of any plans for the regeneration of the city. However, the Society raised issues regarding the implementation of this approach. Of particular concern was the failure to identify key parts of the early 19-century and the surviving late 18-century building stock as part of the city’s historic core. In this regard, the so-called “Georgian Quarter” omitted a series of streets which contain significant red brick terraces, stone warehouses and public buildings, such as the Custom House – one of the most significant historic buildings in Limerick and certainly the single most significant Georgian building – and the Commercial Buildings. As the city centre is composed substantially of Georgian buildings, the Society noted that to identify only a certain part of the city centre as a Georgian Quarter is to misunderstand its character. The submission noted that the IGS would welcome an integrated approach that encompassed the historic fabric as well as the economic, public realm outlined in Limerick 2030.

Collon Church, Co. Louth The church at Collon is one of the most important parish churches in Ireland and is of major architectural significance as an excellent early example of the gothic revival, expressly the Perpendicular style. The ambition of the church’s builder, Rev. Daniel Beaufort was remarkable, particularly his use of full fan vaulting in the church interior. In terms of ecclesiastical heritage, the church is of remarkable significance given the survival of its early 19th century-pews, arranged on a collegiate plan. The use of the collegiate arrangement is particularly notable and has considerable rarity value, with surviving examples only being found at Downpatrick and a church in Wicklow. Collon Church is at the very least of national architectural significance. Due to concerns about the condition and future of the church, the Irish Georgian Society, together with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, has written to the Select Vestry of Collon Church expressing its support of efforts on the part of the Friends of Collon Church to safeguard the building and suggesting that consideration be given to partnering in raising funds to achieve this.

THE NEW CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME

The New Conservation Grants Scheme Ashleigh Murray

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The Irish Georgian Society is delighted to announce the successful completion of the first year of its new Conservation Grants Scheme. This scheme has been made possible with the support of the London Chapter, through their activities and members’ generous bequests. The €50,000 available through this scheme helps owners to fund essential works which may not otherwise be possible without the support of the IGS.

THE NEW CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME

We were overwhelmed by the level of interest in the scheme: we received 68 applications from across the country, from a wide range of building types and ages. It was particularly challenging to determine how the limited budget should be spent, due to the high calibre of applications. The Society valued all applicants but, ultimately, it was in a better position to help with certain works. Enormous costs are involved with the care of large country houses. Utilities alone are a huge expense before maintenance and conservation can even be considered. We are, therefore, pleased to be able to grant aid two of Ireland’s most important country houses: Strokestown Park and Curraghmore House. Masking an earlier 1696 structure, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon, was modified c.1740 to form a Palladian house with flanking pavilions, possibly to the designs of Richard Castle, one of Ireland’s most celebrated architects (overleaf). The Library wing has major problems with dry rot, an issue which can affect many building types. Several decorative items have been affected, including historic wallpaper (supported on timber battens), and extensive repair works are required. Curraghmore House, Co. Waterford, is a c.1755 large classical house which contains an outstanding decorative plasterwork ceiling in the Billiard Room attributed to the Lafranchini brothers. One of the finest 18th-century ceilings in Ireland, the works involve the repair of this ceiling as the cornice in the south-east corner has moved away from the wall. Issues with decorative plasterwork can also occur in other building types, such as St Columba’s Church, Co. Dublin. This c.1815 Gothic style church was designed by Francis Johnston (1760/61–1829), the most important architect of his time. In 2013, a section of ceiling collapsed which resulted in the closure of the church. Churches generally have limited funds and so repair works can be particularly financially challenging. Consequently, this building has been offered our core grant (for one larger project) as it was felt it would especially benefit from the support of the IGS.

Two other churches being supported contain fascinating historic features. Agher Church, Co. Meath, is a 1901 church that incorporates a remarkable 18th-century stained-glass window which is in need of conservation. The window originally came from the private chapel of the nearby Dangan Castle, ancestral home of the Duke of Wellington. Designed by Thomas Jervais (d. 1799), the famous 18th-century glass painter, it depicts Paul preaching to the Athenians. The 1816 Hollymount Church, Co. Mayo, was closed in 1959 and de-roofed in 1962. Although the church lies derelict, it contains a significant cast iron spire that is in need of stabilising and repair works. Although not a Protected Structure, it demonstrates considerable architectural and historical interest as it is the earliest of only three known cast iron spires in the world. Water ingress can have a detrimental effect on historic fabric and is usually the first problem that has to be acted upon. Beaulieu House, Co. Louth, a c.1715 mansion with Dutch-style dormers, has remained in the Tichbourne family since its construction. Works are required to the eaves and rainwater downpipes as water is causing damage to its striking façades (fig 02). Two detached regional houses also face similar problems. Milford House, Co. Galway, is a c.1667 house that has also been in the same family since its construction. Its three-sided front porch, which is integral to the internal design of the hallway, is in need of reslating and new rainwater goods (fig. 3). Bridge House, Co. Mayo, constructed c.1785, faces problems with its roof and the grant goes towards the third phase of roof works. In contrast, 9/9A Aungier Street is an important Dublin City terraced house. This c.1664 house may be the oldest and most intact domestic structure in Dublin and is one of the first buildings in the Aungier Estate, Dublin’s first planned development. The timber staircase is the most outstanding, visual centrepiece of the house but major repair works are required, including the careful repair and reinstatement of the 17th-century newel posts (fig. 4). Whether caring for a large country

mansion, a smaller regional house, or a church, the diversity of successful applicants highlights the wide range of issues that face owners today. Historic buildings require maintenance and conservation which can put financial burdens on owners. The IGS’s Conservation Grants Scheme, therefore, helps to fund essential works for the continued protection of these historic assets.

Previous Page Strokestown Park House, Co. Roscommon 01 St Columba’s Church, Swords, Co. Dublin 02 Beaulieu House, Drogheda, Co. Louth 03 Milford House, Co. Galway 04 9/9a Aungier Street, Dublin

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THE NEW CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME

IGS Architectural Conservation Awards 2014 Mary Bryan

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IGS ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AWARDS 2014

This year, 2014, is IGS’s first year in its new home, the City Assembly House in South William Street in Dublin. It has been a very productive and exciting year. Not only is the Society settling happily into CAH with a great number of exhibitions, showings, events and displays taking place in its remarkable octagonal exhibition room but 2014 has seen the very welcome renewal of its Small Grants Scheme and the resumption, after a year’s absence, of its Architectural Conservation Awards competition. This is one of a number of serious contributions which IGS makes to the conservation scene both academically and practically. The Architectural Conservation Award is open to Irish registered architects or architectural firms involved in the conservation of historic buildings in Ireland. The main intention of the competition is to promote greater appreciation of Ireland’s built heritage and to highlight the high standard of conservation practice and workmanship of the architects and experts who work in conservation. The awards are part of a strong educational programme that IGS has in place to carry out the aims and objectives of the Society as laid out in the IGS Memorandum and Articles of Association and to pursue the vision of the Society and its strategy as laid out in its programme to 2020. As all our members know, the built heritage, including gardens and landscapes of historic interest, is hugely important and needs endless care and conservation. Our built heritage is finite and once gone can never be replaced. The buildings entered into IGS Conservation Awards appear safe for the time being but there are many more which are neglected or in danger. Grants are few and far between which is why the revival of the IGS Small Grants Scheme is so welcome. While encouraging the use of appropriate conservation principles IGS also plays a part in educating owners as to how to best conserve their buildings and directing them towards the use of traditional building skills. Applications for next year’s awards will be available on the Society’s website (or from the office) in the spring of 2015.

There are two categories: Category 1 is for a conservation project that has been completed within the previous five years and is located in Ireland. The term “conservation” is interpreted, as per the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland definition, to include works of preservation, restoration, adaptation and maintenance of buildings and sites. The project can be large or small, urban or rural, and entries have ranged from churches to bridges, 20th-century houses to follies and many more. Winners of the awards have emerged from all over Ireland. Category 2 is for an original drawing (non-CAD) relating to a historic building. There were six entries in this category this year. Category 1 attracted ten entries and the winners were announced at a presentation ceremony in the CAH (as we went to print). The overall standard was considered to be particularly high this year.

Entries in 2014 were received from: Duncairn Complex Doherty Architects Royal Belfast Academical Institution Alastair Coey Architects The Bungalows, Greenore, Co. Louth Fergal McGirl Architects The Carriage Rooms at Montalto John J.O’Connell Architects Russborough West Wing Howley Hayes Architects The Guildhall, Londonderry Consarc Design Group Ltd. Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast Hamilton Architects Blackrock Further Education Institute McCullough Mulvin Architects St. Etchen’s Church Collen Construction Ltd / Lotts Architecture St. Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street , Dublin Bluett & O’Donoghue Architects

Previous Page Blackrock Further Education Institute, Blackrock, Co Dublin 01—03 Sun-filled interiors of Blackrock College 04 Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

IGS ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AWARDS 2014

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

01 Carriage Rooms at Montalto, Ballynahinch, Co. Down 02 The Bungalows, Greenore, Co. Louth 03 Duncairn Complex, formerly a church in Belfast.

IGS ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AWARDS 2014

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

01 This intricate drawing of Boyle Mill was an entrant for the Original Drawing Award 02 The Guildhall, Londonderry, Co Derry 03—05 The Guildhall interiors 06 The spectacular reinstated painted ceiling of St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Dublin.

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Conservation & Outreach Programme Emmeline Henderson

An important part of the work of the Irish Georgian Society is education and the annual Traditional Building Skills exhibition and the very informative series of talks on Conserving Your Period House are regular features on the year’s work. In 2013 we also ran a very successful Study Day at Westport House, where experts in various disciplines shared their knowledge and research. This year, our Study Day focussed on Lord Charlemont’s Casino at Marino, which tied in with the Office of Public Works’ Paradise Lost exhibition curated by Mary Heffernan and Dr Rose Anne White. Over the following pages, IGS Conservation Manager and Deputy Director Emmeline Henderson reviews these events and the other educational activities of the Society. Westport Study Day, Westport House, Friday 11th October 2013 To coincide with Westport town’s designation under the Historic Town Initiative 2013, the Irish Georgian Society was delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Westport Town Council and Westport House to deliver a special study day on Westport House and its planned 18th-century town. The day was generously funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Project managed by the Society, the impetus came from Siobhan Sexton, Mayo County Council’s committed Architectural Conservation Officer and Westport Town Council’s dynamic Town Architect, Simon Wall. Critical to the success of the study day was the opportunity, courtesy of the Honourable Sheelyn Browne, to hold the lectures in the historic drawing room of Westport House, which was at full capacity with delegates from Westport, Mayo and beyond. The day commenced with a fascinating tour by Muriel Barry of Westport House’s interiors and collection. The study day represented an important opportunity to learn about the many facets of Westport’s history, architecture, art, landscape and conservation. Comprising four sessions, the first session, which was chaired by IGS President Patrick Guinness, a descendant of Grace O’Malley, set the historical and social context with a

fascinating paper by Dr Gordon Kennedy entitled, “The Brownes of Westport House: Aristocracy, Politics and the Exercise of Power in County Mayo, 17801830. Kennedy’s paper examined both the negative and positive aspects of the Brownes’ lives, allowing for an informed and balanced appreciation of the family’s historic legacy. Professor Terence Dooley, Director of the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates followed with a paper which asked us to consider the many variables that have fortunately resulted in the survival of Westport House in the 21st century, particularly in light of the decline of the Irish country house sadly featuring extensively in Irish historiography. Session Two, which was chaired by Jacqui Donnelly, Architectural Conservation Advisor with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, provided an overview of the architecture and interiors of Westport House from both a historic and conservation perspective. Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin Dr Edward McParland ’s paper was a revelation. Casting his connoisseur’s eye over Westport House’s architecture, he argued for a re-think of the received wisdom on the identity of the architect of Westport House (see adjoining article). Thereafter Grade I RIAI Conservation Accredited Architect, Kevin Blackwood, traced the architectural development of Westport House in the context of the recent impressive Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht-funded conservation works which his practice had overseen. This paper provided an important insight into the monumental commitment needed to ensure the conservation of an historic house of Westport’s scale. Blackwood reminded us that it is a continual process and he identified the considerable future works needed to ensure the house’s built fabric survives into the decades to come. Session Three, chaired by IGS Executive Director, Donough Cahill, examined the interiors and collections of the house. “From Canton to Westport: the Importation and Use of Chinese Wallpapers in 18th-century Ireland” was an intriguing account from David Skinner of the technique, materials and iconography of the wallpapers

manufactured in China for use in Europe, and their route to the walls of Irish houses via ships of the East India Company; an enticing trailer for his subsequently published magnus opus, Wallpaper in Ireland 1700 to 1900. Thereafter, Richard Ireland examined the decorative plasterwork in the Dining Room of Westport House. Representing one of the most complete and extant Irish interiors, he adopted a multi-dimensional research approach that incorporated archaeological investigation and a broad reach of contextual material to elucidate the significance of the plasterwork and consider its appropriate future presentation and conservation. Next Dr Aidan O’Boyle turned his attention to the assembly, display and dispersal of Westport House’s Collection, much of which has regrettably been dispersed since the 1950s. The last session, chaired by Colm Murray, Architecture Officer of the Heritage Council, looked outward at Westport’s designed landscape and the urban morphology of the planned 18thcentury town. It commenced with a paper by Dr Finola O’Kane Crimmins. Crimmins considered the depictions of both Westport House and Robe Villa in the estate paintings of James Arthur O’Connor and placed them in the context of the evolution of 19th-century tourism in Connacht and Connemara. Belinda Jupp followed with a paper that provided an overview of the ornamental and productive areas of Westport’s demesne. Next, planner and architect, Patrick Shaffrey, asked us to consider the personality, architecture and civic character of Ireland’s first planned 18th-century town and think about the challenges for its conservation. The study day ended with a metaphorically and literally “rocking” presentation from Westport’s Town Architect, Simon Wall, who blasted 21st-century sound and vision from the Westport Festival of Music & Food into Westport House’s refined and rarefied early 19th-century Drawing Room. The annual festival which takes place in the grounds of Westport House is one of many successful contemporary symbiotic collaborations between the historic house and town. Simon’s paper was a master class in how numerous small

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

changes in town planning policy and management (for example, free painting consultation schemes for the owners of the town’s buildings; re-opening of urban rights of way to enliven “dead spaces”; reinstatement of timber sash windows as conditions of planning permissions; introduction of the “smarter travel” scheme; and the development of urban and rural greenways) can reap disproportionate rewards for the conservation of the historic built fabric of the town, the viability of the local economy, community engagement and civic pride. The Society was privileged to have been invited by Mayo County Council and Westport Town Council to partner in this important and meaningful study day and we thank all the speakers, chairs, partners and funders for their enthusiasm and support. Paradise Lost: Lord Charlemont’s Garden at Marino Study Day, City Assembly House, Tuesday 10th June 2014 To coincide with the Office of Public Works’ exhibition Paradise Lost: Lord Charlemont’s Garden at Marino, the Irish Georgian Society joined forces with the OPW to present a study day which focused on the history, design and conservation of Lord Charlemont’s estate at Marino. Although Marino House has long been demolished, Marino is still home to one of Ireland’s finest neo-Classical buildings, namely the Casino Marino. Designed by Sir William Chambers and completed in 1775, it is a building of international significance. Lamentably during the 20th century the setting and context of Casino Marino has been brutally compromised. Only remnants of Marino’s 18th-century designed landscape are extant. To compound matters the memory and understanding of that extraordinary landscape was also nearly completely forgotten. That was until this summer with the mounting by the OPW of the Paradise Lost: Lord Charlemont’s Garden at Marino Exhibition, curated by Dr Rose Anne White and OPW General Manager, Mary Heffernan; and the publication of the OPW Charlemont’s Marino: Portrait of a Landscape, authored by Dr Ruth Musielak and the co-hosting of the IGS and OPW significant study day on Marino’s lost

landscape in the City Assembly House’s Exhibition Room on Tuesday 10th June. This amnesia of the importance of Marino’s lost landscape threatened to further erode what little landscape remained, most notably demonstrated by the granting of planning permission in 2007 for a medico-legal centre to house the offices of the State Pathologist. A planning application, to which the Irish Georgian Society vigorously objected at the time, which regrettably was granted permission (but ultimately not built due to changes in state finances) and for which planning permission has now thankfully expired. The study day, which showcased recent and impressive academic research, presented a unique opportunity to redress this lack of awareness of the significance of the Casino Marino’s historic context. Critical to the success of the study day was the audience in attendance which comprised representatives from: central and local government, semi-state and non-governmental built heritage bodies; and academia. The enhancement of these stakeholders’ understanding of Marino’s landscape will ensure that the OPW is supported in its work in preserving and presenting the Casino Marino’s setting in the 21st century; and the Society would like to think would make proposals like those tabled in 2007 for further building on the extant grounds insupportable/ unacceptable. The Society wishes to acknowledge the support of Mary Heffernan in agreeing to partner on this joint initiative; Dr Rose Anne White and William Laffan for their role in devising the programme; OPW Commissioner, John McMahon, for officially opening the study day, and most importantly our chairs (John O’Connell, Dr Matthew Jebb; and Mary Hefferan); and speakers (Melissa O’Brien, Dr Rose Anne White, Dr Finola O’Kane Crimmins; Kevin Mulligan, Patrick Bowe, Dr Romilly Turton, Dr Ruth Musielak, Elizabeth Morgan, and Dr Marion Harney) who gave their time and expertise so generously. Conserving your Dublin Period House Course Spring 2014 The Spring 2014 Conserving your Dublin

Period House course was the 6th successful collaboration between the Irish Georgian Society and Dublin City Council’s Heritage and Conservation Offices. Differentiating it from our previous courses was the welcomed opportunity to hold it in the Society’s City Assembly House, Exhibition Room. A testament to the conservation expertise of the speakers was the fact that once more the course was heavily subscribed, with over 70 historic homeowners, architects, engineers and builders enrolling on the course. Those in attendance were provided with an A to Z of every aspect of the conservation of Dublin’s period houses. The Society greatly appreciates the support of our wonderful speakers: Charles Duggan, Heritage Officer, DCC (Historic and Stylistic Evolution of Dublin’s Domestic Architecture); Jacqui Donnelly, Architect, DoAHG (Protected Structure Legislation); Frank Keohane, Chartered Building Surveyor (Preventative Maintenance); Dr Nessa Roche, Architectural Conservation Advisor, DoAHG (Windows); Carl Raftery, Conservation Research Officer, DCC (Energy Performance in Protected Structures); Peter Clarke, DIT (Doors and Staircases); Susan Roundtree, Senior Architect, DCC (Historic Bricks); Karl Rappel, IABA (Historic Ironwork); Lisa Edden, Structural Engineer (Water Ingress); Grainne Shaffrey, RIAI Conservation Architect (Pointing & Lime); Nicola Matthew, Conservation Officer, DCC (Sensitively Extending your Period House); and Andrew Smith (Decorative Plasterwork Conservation). Complementary to the lunchtime talks was the opportunity to join architect, Dr Susan Galavan on a walking tour of Northumberland Road. Built over the course of six decades in the 19th century, its buildings, which vary from tall red brick terraces to fine semidetached houses, provide an exemplar of the development of Dublin’s Victorian domestic architecture. Desmond Guinness Scholarship 2014 2014 saw a very high standard of applications for the Desmond Guinness Scholarship. Awarded annually to scholars engaged in research on the visual arts

CONSERVATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMME

01 Donough Cahill, Tom Cassidy and Jeremy Irons’ patient dog. 02—03 Jimmy Deenihan, then Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and then Deputy Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon visited stands at the Hunt Museum and met exhibitors including Hugh Dorrian from Stoneware Studios and the busy thatcher whose work at the entrance to the museum attracted much attention despite blustery conditions! 04 Dr Judith Hill in Pery Square at the beginning of a fascinating walk around Limerick’s Georgian core 05 Jeremy Irons and master plasterer George O’Malley 06 Dr Ursula Callaghan, chair of our Limerick Chapter (centre) guest speaker Jeremy Irons at St Mary’s Cathedral with Donough Cahill, Emmeline Henderson, Tom Cassidy (Limerick City and County Council) and members of the Limerick Chapter Emma Gilleece and Tessa Kelleher 07 It was smiles all round and a busy time at the Irish Georgian Society’s information stand with brightlyjacketed volunteers!

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of Ireland including the work of Irish architects, artists and craftsmen at home and abroad, 1600-1900, the scholarship is now in its eighteenth year. This year Zara Power was awarded the scholarship for her proposed research into jewellers and their business in 18th century Ireland. Zara will be using her prize fund to travel to London where she will examine the Peter Webb business records in the National Archives. The Society wishes to thank the Desmond Guinness Scholarship Committee: Dr Christine Casey, Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe, Hon Desmond Guinness, Dr David Fleming, Dr Edward McParland (Chair) and Primrose Wilson for the time they devoted to assessing the applications annually. Limerick City’s Georgian Buildings & Streets: A Weekend of Traditional Building Skills Demonstrations and Conservation Talks, Saturday 10th and Sun 11th May 2014. The Irish Georgian Society and Limerick City and County Councils joined forces to present a weekend of traditional building skills demonstrations and architectural conservation talks and walks. The decision to deliver the Society’s annual traditional exhibition was driven by the convergence of three ground-breaking initiatives for Limerick City. Firstly 2014 saw Limerick City designated Ireland’s first City of Culture, with calls for proposals to facilitate cultural activities that would reinvigorate Limerick City Centre. Secondly, 2014 saw the amalgamation of Limerick City Council and Limerick County Councils. This resulted in the Limerick City Council finally having an Architectural Conservation Officer to advise on the protection and management of its historic buildings; something for which the Society has long been an advocate. Thirdly, Limerick City was identified as one of the two pilot cities for the Living City Initiative governmental tax incentive scheme for the restoration of Georgian buildings. The Society was very grateful when Limerick City of Culture agreed that, in light of these three factors, the bringing of the exhibition to Limerick City was not only apt but arguably imperative and pledged a significant grant, which was generously matched by Limerick City Council’s Office of Regeneration. Major funding from these two bodies was further supported by Merrion Property Group, who substantially underwrite the activities of the Conservation Education Programme; CRH, who for the fourth consecutive year

have kindly given a specific contribution towards the delivery of the annual traditional building skills exhibition; George O’Malley Plastering; Killorgan Slate Quarry Ltd; Stoneware Studios; and Welsh Slate Ltd who generously sponsored stands at the Limerick show. This year’s venue for the traditional skills exhibition was, most fittingly, Limerick’s late 18th-century neo-Palladian custom house, the Hunt Museum. Director, Dr Hugh Maguire and Head of Collections, Naomi O’Nolan, were incredibly welcoming and accommodating. We were also fortune to have the use of the Hunt Museum’s Captain’s Room for the accompanying weekend of conservation and traditional building skills talks which included papers by: Tracy Collins, Paul Hegarty, Cathal O’Boyle, Andrew Smith, Dr Nessa Roche, Dr John Logan, Willie Cumming, Tom Cassidy, Colm Murray, and Jim O’Donoghue. An exciting and last minute addition to the line-up of Saturday’s conservation talks was actor, Jeremy Irons. Irons delivered an enthralling account of the herculean endeavours undertaken by him (as project manager) and his team of traditional crafts people, who over a period of ten years, painstakingly and faithfully restored his medieval tower house, Kilcoe Castle in Skibbereen, appropriately employing traditional methods and materials. Due to the huge demand, with over 250 people in attendance, the talk was relocated from the Captain’s Room to the nave of the historic St. Mary’s Cathedral. On Saturday afternoon, after Irons’s talk, Jimmy Deenihan, TD and former Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, travelled to the Hunt Museum to officially open the exhibition. He was welcomed to the exhibition by Limerick City and County Council’s Deputy Mayor, Kieran O’Hanlon. Minister Deenihan, a longstanding supporter of the Irish Georgian Society, was most gracious in his recognition of the Society’s work to promote traditional skills and best conservation practice. Importantly the Minister formally acknowledged Seamus Harahan, Senior Executive Architect, Limerick City Council’s Office of Regeneration and Tom Cassidy, Architectural Conservation Officer, Limerick City and County Council, for the energy they invested in collaborating with the Irish Georgian Society to bring the exhibition to Limerick as part of City of Culture 2014, but also the important

work they undertake on a day-to-day basis to ensure that Limerick’s unique built heritage is harnessed as a catalyst for physical, social and economic regeneration. Sunday morning started with IGS Limerick Chapter Committee members treating a throng of over 70 people to a fascinating architectural walking tour of Georgian Limerick, which included visits to the Georgian interiors of No. 2 Pery Square and 96 O’Connell Street, home of the Limerick’s Chamber of Commerce. The involvement and support of the Society’s Limerick Chapter members greatly enhanced the weekend. In addition to Judith Hill and Dr John Logan, the Society wishes in particular to thank Limerick Chapter Chairperson, Ursula Callaghan, and committee members, Cáit Ní Cheallacháin and Emma Gilleece. (Thanks are also due to the Society’s Dublin staff and volunteers Doreen McNamara, Róisín Lambe, John O’Connor and Letitia Pollard for travelling to Limerick to support the Dublin office in the delivery of the exhibition.) But as always the last and most important words of thanks go to the loyal and talented traditional building skills practitioners who so generously gave their time to provide accurate, impartial and free advice on the conservation of Limerick City’s built heritage. They provided a wonderful array of traditional skills demonstrations including: restoration of timber sash windows; traditional slate dressing and roof repairs; use of lime mortars and hemp; conservation of fanlights and stained glass; traditional decorative ironwork and slating; cleaning and repointing brick facades; and cleaning and restoring decorative plasterwork; construction of mud walls, dry stone walls and traditional masonry; the conservation of antique clocks and repoussé, to name a few.

Observations on Westport House Edward McParland Walk around the outside of Westport House, and see the changes made in the course of the 18th century. The entrance front is substantially Richard Castle, of the early 1730’s: the windows have been reglazed, there were busts once in the circular niches of the upper storey, and the arms in the pediment are of a descendant of the builder John Browne, later 1st Earl of Altamont. But the entrance front is otherwise (less the low side extensions) largely as Castle intended. These details reveal how Richard Castle’s house, which was on a U-plan, was extended into a square plan with an inner enclosed courtyard. Castle may well have envisaged this larger house; as early as 1752 Bishop Pococke said that the “back wing” was not yet built. Who designed the present enlargement of the early house? Inevitably one thinks of Thomas Ivory, who in 1773 drew a plan of just such a proposed enlargement. The other documented architect involved in the house is James Wyatt, whose drawings for the decoration of the Dining Room are dated 1781. Ivory is the more plausible candidate for the extension. His plan is different in a number of ways from what was executed, but maybe it records early ideas later modified? And the pretty neo-classical decoration in the rooms other than Wyatt’s Dining Room are plausibly the work of a good post-Palladian architect who, like Ivory, was getting up-to-date with the latest decorative fashions.

It is easy to rule out Wyatt as architect of the extensions. There is an uncertainty of external composition and of internal decoration which is wholly uncharacteristic of the architect of Heaton House or Abbeyleix (both of the 1770s). But there is, in the National Library, another plan for the extensions which is both closer to what went up and, though it is unsigned, most unlikely to be by Ivory who was an exceptionally distinguished draughtsman. Hunting for another potential architect the name of William Leeson suggests itself. Not a great deal is known about Leeson apart from an important article by John Mayock in Cathair na Mart in 1998 entitled ‘William Leeson: Westport’s First Town Planner’. He designed houses in Tipperary and Galway (one that is important for Westport is Clonbrock) and appears in a notice in Faulkner’s Dublin Journal for 17-21 March 1767. There it is announced that a new town ‘is immediately to be built near the Old Town of Westport’ complete with an elegant market house in the centre of an octagon. Builders and tradesmen are invited to send their proposals for building to Peter Brown Kelly or to William Leeson, architect. So at least we have Leeson involved with Lord Altamont’s ventures in Westport in 1767. Perhaps he is the author of the unsigned plan, mentioned above, for the extensions to Westport House of the mid 1770s? We might have to leave it at that were it not possible to establish a link between the decoration in Westport and that in a

house which we know to be by Leeson, Clonbrock, Co. Galway. The staircases of both houses have very similar – and rare – types of vaulting. Maybe this similarity, and this rarity, allow us to suggest that the architect of Clonbrock and first townplanner of Westport was also responsible for the 1770s extensions of Westport House?

Front and side elevations of Westport House, Co Mayo with details of plasterwork showing similarity with Leeson’s work at Clonbrock in neighbouring Co Galway

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The south front, to the left of the entrance, has a date of 1778 in the pediment, and there is a tell-tale change in the masonry showing where Richard Castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early building was extended to the west with the addition of tall pilasters. Jutting out in front of this faĂ§ade is the library wing which suffered a bad fire in the 1820s.

Casino,Marino William Cumming

This is one of the most beautiful and elegant seats in the world, happily situated, and in a demesne improved in the highest taste, comprehending 238 acres,â&#x20AC;ŚThe temple is situated in the park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a monument of his Lordshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refined taste. The Gothic room is a very curious and beautiful structure. The hermitage is nature itself. There is also a Cane-house constructed after the Eastern model. Art and nature unite in rendering this a most desirable residence. What obligations are not the citizens of Dublin under to his Lordship for having the gates of this terrestrial paradise opened to them whenever they chuse to walk through it! 1

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CASINO, MARINO

The Casino at Marino is generally accepted as one of the masterpieces of 18thcentury neoclassical architecture, a building of significance not only here in Ireland but internationally.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

But as Bowden in his description of 1791 But what of the future? makes clear, it was just one element of a After Charlemont’s death, the now lost landscape park. Even allowing significant debts that he had accumulated. for flattery and exaggeration, it must have resulted in the gradual dismembering been a striking place, making the current of the estate over the 19 century, well Office of Public Works exhibition at the described by Dr Ruth Musielak in the Casino Paradise Lost and the associated OPW publication which accompanies the study day, jointly organised by the OPW exhibition.4 However, looking at current OS and the Irish Georgian Society, a aerial photography, what is striking is how welcome reminder. much still survives as open space, some of The initial estate was offered as a gift it in recreational use and some associated to James Caulfeild (1728-99), 1st Earl of with the various institutions that surround Charlemont, by his step-father Thomas the Casino. As presented at the study day Adderley in 1754, offered, it has been there are also surviving built elements. suggested, as an inducement to get him I was responsible for the Casino in the back from Italy where he had become late 1980s. The major conservation works embroiled in a love affair with an Italian on the building had been completed but the noblewoman. Further purchases increased grounds were in a terrible state. Since then the demesne to the size shown on the there have been significant improvements, Ordnance Survey first edition 6˝map. a land transfer from the adjoining The site was a critical factor in its property which has given a bit more space attraction, close to the city, slightly immediately around the Casino and, in elevated with views to the sea and across 2009, the declaration of the site as an the bay to the Dublin and Wicklow Architectural Conservation Area by Dublin mountains. A point made on the day, City Council. One of its key objectives is which had not occurred to me, was the “to encourage and support the creation of a attractiveness of the northside for such an new public park in keeping with the former estate with the best prospect and south arrangement at Marino under the first Earl facing orientation. of Charlemont.” The mixture of neoclassical and gothic William Cumming for the garden buildings was not unique but National Inventory of Architectural very much part of the developing fashion Heritage for the picturesque, popular both in Britain and in Ireland. Roger Stalley in the 2013 issue of the Society’s journal describes how when Waterford Cathedral was being 1 Bowden, Charles Topham: A Tour Through Ireland. Dublin (1791) demolished in 1773 a five light window was carefully taken down to be reused as a 2 Stalley, Roger: The Lost Cathedral gothic folly at Curraghmore.2 It was never of Waterford. Irish Architectural and built, but clearly the intention was there. Decorative Studies, vol. XVI (2013) Frederick Trench incorporated part of 3 Malins, Edward & The Knight of Glin: Lost Aghaboe Dominican friary for his Gothic Demesnes: Irish Landscape Gardening ruin at Heywood, Co Laois. 3 1660-1845. London (1976) 4 Musielak, Ruth: Charlemont’s Marino. Portrait of a Landscape. Dublin (2014)

Previous Page A watercolour by Francis Wheatley showing Lord Charlemont’s Casino in its original setting in 1783 (photo: OPW) 01—02 Drawings from the Charlemont album, Paul Mellon Collection, Yale Center for British Art and show the Hermitage and the Gothic Cathedral which formed part of Charlemont’s Paradise Lost.

New from Churchill House Press Wallpaper In Ireland 1700–1900 By David Skinner Drawing on his extensive experience both as a maker and a researcher of historic wallpapers, David Skinner has compiled a detailed survey of the patterns used to decorate Irish houses from the early 18th century until the demise of the Irish ‘paper-staining’ trade at the close of the 19th century. Journals, letters, invoices and newspaper advertisements are among the sources explored to chart the history of wallpaper in Ireland, the role of emigrant Irish artisans in developing wallpaper manufacture in France and North America, the tax on wallpaper, and the trade in smuggled wallpaper between Ireland and Victorian England. The book will provide an invaluable guide to researchers, architects and those involved in the study of historic interiors.

All proceeds of this book (€45.00) will go to the Irish Georgian Society for which we thank Churchill House Press very much.

A celebration and a reclamation of the wonders of wallpaper in Ireland. Robert O’Byrne, Irish Times Charting contemporary correspondence and accounts, Skinner provides a fascinating insight not only into the manufacturers, purveyors and consumers of wallpaper, but also into the continuingly changing fashions of the Irish domestic decorative interior…Countless evocative fragments of these papers, salvaged by Skinner from hundreds of Irish buildings, populate this beautifully composed and illustrated large-format celebration of Irish artisan work. Graham Hickey, Sunday Times This is a very beautiful book which has been sensitively designed by Jason Ellams…It is lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of rooms that are published for the first time…It is also a great pleasure to read and David Skinner’s enthusiasm for his subject comes through in every chapter. He has that rare talent which is a complete technical knowledge of the material and a heightened appreciation of the visual beauty of the work. The book is an important reference work and is essential reading for anyone interested in the visual and material culture of Ireland. Paul Caffrey, Irish Arts Review

Drawing Room, Killadoon, Co. Kildare

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WALLPAPER IN IRELAND

The variety of colour and design of historic wallpaper is all too evident from these samples from the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Henrietta Street, Eccles Street, all in Dublin; Springhill, Co. Derry, Caledon, Co. Tyrone, Killeen, Co. Meath, Castle Coole, Co. Fermanagh, Newbridge, Co. Kildare and Fota, Co. Cork

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Priorities and Actions for the Society to 2020 David Fleming

Earlier this year the Society identified a number of strategic objectives to enhance the activities and profile of the Society for the next six years. At its core is the belief that the Society can build on its existing strong foundations and improve itself in not only meeting the needs and ambitions of members and donors, but to make an even greater impression with the public. Our vision as a Society, to conserve, protect and foster interest in Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architectural heritage and decorative arts, informs the strategy.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

In pursuing its vision, the Society will either work on its own or in partnership with others, through the provision of education and information, including publications, lectures, conferences, tours and other learning programmes; campaign for protection and conservation; and undertake and support initiatives for the decorative arts and historic structures and places, including gardens and landscapes. The strategy prioritises four key areas of the Society’s activities: conservation, education, fundraising and membership. Conservation Since its foundation, the Society has established itself as a vocal campaigner for the protection of Ireland’s architectural and landscape heritage. In doing so, we have led by example in conserving important buildings, the latest example being the City Assembly House in Dublin. Once that project is completed, we will move on to another significant ‘Buildings at Risk’ project, working in partnership with one or more heritage organisations. This is exciting and will allow the Society to capture the public’s imagination. We will also explore the potential of launching a ‘Revolving Buildings Fund’ to acquire, restore, and dispose of properties with the aim of re-investing proceeds into further such projects. The Society is committed to assisting owners of properties to conserve their buildings and landscapes, and will develop its re-launched Small Grants Conservation Scheme, which has operated very successfully this year with the support of the London Chapter. The Society also hopes to extend its ‘Buildings at Risk’ register, which to date covers the largest county in the country, Cork, showing buildings in various stages of decay and requiring attention. The Society will create a part-time position to support the Society’s planning activities, by lobbying government and local authorities to take action, working alongside the Society’s active Architectural Conservation and Planning Committee. Education Over the last number of decades, the Society has been very successful in implementing its varied education programme, whether in the form of its journal, Irish Architectural and Decorative

Studies, the traditional building skills weekends, conserving your period home seminars, and its regular lectures and study days. We will develop this aspect of the Society’s activities further by developing a dedicated Committee to concentrate minds and ideas on how this might be done (if you would like to be part of this initiative, please let us know). By these means we hope to position the Society as the main source of information and practical advice for historic homeowners and others interested in Ireland’s architecture and material culture. Another objective is to establish an annual Summer School dedicated to Irish architecture and the decorative arts, either in partnership with other organisations or under the Society’s own auspices. Indeed, we have already discussed the idea with the Ulster Architectural and Heritage Society, who have agreed to work with us in making this a reality for 2015. In addition, we will have two or more annual study days, which will focus attention on certain areas, buildings or places. The success of the study days at Westport, Co. Mayo and at the Casino at Marino shows that there is a popular appetite for these events. Fundraising These objectives are unlikely to be achieved without significant financial cost. Over the years we have been very successful in attracting small and large donations for the Society’s activities. But like all organisations, we have seen our financial resources diminish over the last few years. Nevertheless, the generosity of our donors and members has meant that we can still do most of the activities that we have become respected for. This year the Society employed a Development Officer, Paula McDermott, who is taking charge of our fundraising efforts, so that the Society can expand its mission. Our members have been very generous, leaving legacies in their wills or making donations for specific projects. Without our American, Irish and United Kingdom donors, the Society would not be able to do all that it does. We hope to continue to encourage our donors to give and to attract new sources of income to sustain our conservation and education programmes. Membership Like many organisations, the recession

has resulted in a decline in membership across Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. This is something we must reverse if we are to maintain a healthy and active Society. Most members join the Society having been introduced to it by a friend. Over the coming months and years we will be developing new initiatives to promote membership. We also want to develop the Society’s social media presence. We have over 2,000 Facebook followers, most of whom are not members, which is indicative of the popular interest in the Society. How we harness this popularity is a welcome challenge to the Society. If you would like to get involved in seeing these objectives implemented, please contact Donough Cahill, dcahill@igs.ie. The full strategy is available at www.igs.ie David Fleming is the Chairman of IGS

Ireland in Chicago Leslie Fitzpatrick A major exhibition of the arts in Ireland in the long 18th century will open at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) on 17 March 2015. Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840 will include fine and decorative arts drawn from North American collections. The result of over five years of research and planning, and with just over 300 objects from 85 lenders, it is the largest exhibition of works from this period in Ireland’s history ever undertaken. Given the exhibition’s focus, it is not surprising that its genesis is intricately tied to the Irish Georgian Society. Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840 has its roots in the mid-1960s when Desmond Guinness asked Christopher Monkhouse, the exhibition’s curator, to assist with a tour in Ireland for the American Friends of the Irish Georgian Society. There he overlapped at Leixlip Castle with Desmond FitzGerald, Knight of Glin and a lifelong friendship began. Christopher, in a research capacity, and the Knight worked together in the department of Furniture and Woodwork at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the 1970s and stayed in touch through the years. In 2008, when Christopher moved to Chicago to become the Eloise W. Martin Chair and Curator of European Decorative Arts at the AIC, he knew he had finally reached the city in which he and the Knight could collaborate to mount the ‘major exhibition on Ireland’s decorative arts of the eighteenth century, which… would…show the high level of craftsmanship achieved in Ireland at that time’, which the Knight and James Peill had called for in the introduction to their seminal 2007 publication Irish Furniture. With a large Irish and Irish-American population in Chicago, several important objects in the AIC’s own collection

(including the earliest known signed and dated piece of Irish furniture), and an active chapter of the Irish Georgian Society, Chicago was a natural choice for the exhibition. The exhibition’s title, Crossroads of Art and Design, refers to the complex and rich interweaving of Irish, English, and continental influences in Irish art and architecture of the period, from the Lafranchini stuccodores to Huguenot silversmiths. The exhibition will focus on the Irish as artists, collectors, and patrons at home and abroad, as well as explore the work of foreign artists working in Ireland at the time; though an island, Ireland was anything but isolated from the rest of the world. While the exhibition is large in scope, at the start of the project we did impose one major limitation: that whenever possible objects be drawn from North American collections. There are little-known treasures in public and private collections throughout the United States and Canada — from Montreal, Quebec to Nachez, Mississippi, and San Diego, California, to Boston, Massachusetts — that in many cases have not been published or are not on display. The exhibition and accompanying catalogue serve as an opportunity to create a lasting record of the Irish objects that have made their way, for one reason or another, to North American shores. The exhibition begins in 1690, the year of the Battle of the Boyne, which ushered in a period of Protestant political and cultural dominance, and ends in 1840, a few years before the onset of the Great Famine. Exhibition galleries will explore the harp as a symbol of Ireland; portraiture in Ireland; Dublin as a center of government, commerce, and education; Irish landscapes and tourism; and the material world

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IRELAND IN CHICAGO

of the Irish country house (with particular attention to Carton House, Co. Kildare and Headfort House, Co. Meath). A series of ‘Made in Ireland’ galleries will feature objects in all media — bookbindings, ceramics, furniture, glass, musical instruments, silver and base metals, and textiles — highlighting Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Waterford as centres of production and consumption, and will also include amateur arts such as needlework and cut paper. Objects representing over twentyfour of Ireland’s counties will be on display. The catalogue, with essays by leading scholars including Toby Barnard, Tom Dunne, Finola O’Kane, Kevin Mulligan and Brendan Rooney, will be a major contribution to the field. A symposium presenting scholarship on the exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the AIC with the keynote address by Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats, on the evening of Friday 20th March and a full-day program on Saturday 21st March. Closing remarks will be given by the actor Julian Sands, a collector of Irish fine and decorative arts and a lender to the exhibition. Though the exhibition is drawn largely from North American collections, naturally much of our research has taken place in Ireland, and the Irish Georgian Society has played a large part in this. We must mention with gratitude the invaluable continued support of Olda FitzGerald, Patrick Guinness, Donough Cahill, Emmeline Henderson and the office staff. William Laffan is co-editor of the exhibition catalogue and (at the Knight’s recommendation) has acted as advisor to the show over the past four years. The support of the IGS in New York and Chicago has also been invaluable, with Michael Kerrigan and Steve Zick in Chicago and Maribeth Welsh in New York organizing events and serving as a resource for outreach. Conor Lucey, editor of Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies, and now at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, has generously offered to have the 2015 volume serve as a sort of ‘Ireland in America’ issue, with exhibition objects serving as starting points for larger discussions. Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies has been the bedrock for research into the material culture of Ireland on which the exhibition builds — it is noticeable, for example, how many of the writers for the catalogue have published earlier research in the Journal. Following recent launches of the Journal in Cork and London, this volume will be launched in Chicago on the evening of the Symposium.

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Previous Page Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End Pottery, (left to right) bowl, butter dish, epergne, flower-brick, and wine barrel, c. 1750-60, tin-glazed earthenware, private collection. Photo: Dara McGrath 01 Robert Fagan, Irish (1761-1816) Portrait of a Lady as Hibernia, c.1801, oil on canvas private collection 02 John Kirkhoffer, Irish, active 1730s. Secretary Cabinet, 1732. Walnut, holly, gilt gesso, mirror glass, and brass. Gift of Robert Allerton, 1957.200, The Art Institute of Chicago 03 Samuel Walker, active from 1752, died 1769. Two-handled cup with cover, c.1761-66. Gilded silver with applied decoration. Philadelphia Museum of Art, gift of an anonymous donor, 2008. 04 Robert Adam, English, 1728â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1792. Headfort House, Ireland: Elevation of the Eating Parlor, 1771. Pen and black ink with gray wash and graphite on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

IRELAND IN CHICAGO

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Please come to Chicago in March 2015 where we hope to have fulfilled Knight and James Peill’s ambition for a show that would ‘waken the world to [the] staggering array of art that was manufactured in Ireland’ in the Georgian period. Most appropriately the exhibition and catalogue for which he long campaigned will be dedicated to the memory of the Knight. The opening gala, including dinner and a preview of the exhibition, will be held on 14th March 2015. Individual tickets and tables are available. The exhibition runs through 7th June 2015. For information about the exhibition, please contact Leslie Fitzpatrick at lfitzpatrick@artic.edu. For information about the symposium, please contact Veronika Lorenser at vlorenser@artic.edu. For information about the gala, please contact Kara Shively at kshively@pjhchicago.com. Leslie Fitzpatrick is Assistant Research Curator in the department of European Decorative Arts at the Art Institute of Chicago.

01 George Barret, 1732. Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, between 1760 and 1762. Oil on canvas. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection 02 John Ryan, active 1780-1801. Anne Bingham, wife of Christopher St George of Tyrone, c.1785. Oil on canvas. Collection of Peter Clayton Mark. Photo: Jamie Stukenberg, Professional Graphics.

Reg

Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Memories Pat Murray & Letitia Pollard

This society gives me the opportunity to share a loved interest with like-minded people from whom I have learned a great deal. I joined the Irish Georgian Society (the Georgian Society) after I left school. My father had been a member of the RDS and as a schoolboy I had enjoyed using their library where I discovered The Destruction of the Country House by Strong, Binney and Harris (1974). The book showed me these beautiful houses on the one hand and their ruins alongside. These images of destruction and abandonment of beautiful things had a profound influence on me. As a member of the Georgian Society, I have enjoyed spectacular overseas tour, I have enjoyed lectures which have contributed to my knowledge of design and building and life during the Georgian period, in particular in Ireland, and I have enjoyed wonderful social occasions in sometimes beautiful, and always interesting, places. In recent years I became more involved as a volunteer and have assisted in setting up promotional stands at opportune and diverse events that have included the Dublin Horse Show and antique fairs. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer to share the manning of these stands and to promote the Society to potential new members. More recently, I was invited to join the board of the Irish Georgian Foundation. This society gives me the opportunity to share a loved interest with like-minded people from whom I have learned a great deal, with whom I have enjoyed seeing new and wondrous places and with whom I have great fun. The opportunity now to be part of the group that is focused on the development of our new headquarters on South William Street is a great interest and privilege. Pat Murray (member since 1985)

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The IGS is, partially, responsible for my many slow journeys and diversions taken around Ireland. Hugely enjoyed by me, these peregrinations are tolerated with good humour by family and friends. It all began in the 1970s when I first fell in love; needless to say it was another dedicated member of the Society who was involved. The glovebox of his car contained well-used Ordnance Survey maps and the indispensible duo of James Fraser’s Handbook for Travellers in Ireland first published in 1844, and Ireland Observed by Maurice Craig and the Knight of Glin (1970). On many weekends of our romance we explored houses up winding avenues, whose gates and surrounding demesnes had intrigued us. Where modern maps let us down, Mr Fraser and the 20th-century duo did not. Invariably Fraser had noted the estate owner, the condition of the surrounding countryside and population, and he did not mince his words! Dr Craig and the Knight were more diplomatic, but equally informative. A regular traveller with us was the idiosyncratic Daniel Gillman; his company further enlightened our knowledge of each family and his wonderful collection, then at Corrig Avenue in Dun Laoghaire, maintained links with long-disbanded estates. Formal visits countrywide with

01 Pat Murray by a sunlit gate in Co Meath 02 — 06 A variety of ironwork in Wexford, Waterford, Dun Laoghaire and Limerick

the IGS brought more knowledge and friendships. Time passed on (and so did he) but my love and enthusiasm for buildings of the Georgian and other eras did not diminish. More recently, unfettered by work commitments, I have again been able to enjoy IGS outings and lectures and have developed a new craze; this time for the unnoticed and unloved elements of our built heritage. Thanks to Ali Davey and her talks on ironwork, I now find myself screeching to a halt, when travelling on the highways and byways of Ireland, to admire a rusty gate, or a stretch of wellmaintained railings. No rural side-street should be ignored, which sometimes makes a quick shopping trip a long one; but how could you just walk past the gem of ‘mother and child’ gates of a former bicycle shop in Westport or that brightly-painted garage in Tullamore? Barry O’Reilly’s talk on corrugated iron means few rural buildings, or another garage in Claremorris, go unobserved. Getting anywhere on time has become a nightmare, but thanks to the IGS it has become more enjoyable – family and friends may disagree, but they are now members too and in time will come to agree with me. Letitia Pollard (member since 1976)

This newsletter is for and about our members. We’d love to hear what being a member of the Irish Georgian Society has meant to you. Please submit your own memories and recollections to Editor, IGS, 58 South William Street, Dublin 2 or email to info@igs.ie

Events Round-Up Doreen McNamara

Over the last fifteen months, IGS members and friends have been able to enjoy the winter series of lectures, morning walking tours around Dublin city centre and neighbouring suburbs; during the long summer months day-long trips have been organised bringing people further afield to discover and explore some wonderful houses and other buildings. Membership and Events Administrator Doreen McNamara, here brings a flavour of the various outings since midsummer 2013. Those of you who were with us will revisit the houses and gardens, and perhaps those reading about them for the first time will endeavour to join us over the coming months.

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22 July 2013 Lambay Island tour We organised two tours to Lambay Island during summer 2013 to visit the Lutyens-designed demesne, the first on Monday 22nd July led by IGF board member, Primrose Wilson, and the second on Friday 23rd August with IGF board member, Letitia Pollard. The crossing was rough on the July tour but the sun came out when the group reached the island and were greeted by Alex Baring, Lord Revelstoke. They were brought on the tour by Matthew Jebb from the National Botanic Gardens, of the demesne, the Jekyll-designed gardens and house. The August group also had an overcast, damp day with their tour being conducted by Alex Baring. We were very glad that both visits to this unique intact collection of buildings and original furnishings, its gardens and its own special flora and fauna were possible as visits are completely weather dependent. Sadly, the planned volunteer work party in late May to Lambay had to be abandoned due to the stormy weather.

27 July 2013 Summer drinks We were blessed with exceptionally fine weather on Saturday 27th July as the sun shone intensely at Annesbrook House in Co. Meath, home of Kate Sweetman, who very kindly invited the Irish Georgians along to make merry in the banqueting room and surrounding grounds of this fine midGeorgian building which the IGS grant-aided in the early 2000s and, we are delighted to hear, further restoration work has been carried out since our visit. Over 100 IGS members and guests enjoyed Pimms, wine and canapés, prepared by Seamus Hogan. They also contributed generously to our fundraising raffle and a sizeable portion of the gathering went away happy on the coach, while some even travelled by vintage car.

Summer 2013 Walking tours Following our move in late June to the very central City Assembly House, we offered two separate architectural walking tours of Dublin weekly during July and August 2013, leaving from CAH. Architectural historian and decorative plasterwork expert, Dr Conor Lucey, led three tours of Dublin’s domestic architecture, taking in St. Stephen’s Green and Newman House, Kildare Street and Leinster House, Clare Street, Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Street and finished at Fitzwilliam Square, all important pre-Georgian and Georgian residential areas. On alternative weeks Dr John Montague, architectural historian, and John Rocque, map expert, conducted an equally fascinating tour of Dublin Civic Architecture, progressing to the Liffey Board

Walk, site of Joseph Tudor’s view of George Semple’s Essex Bridge and of the Old Custom House. The tour went on to Essex Street, City Hall, Dame Street, College Green with its former Parliament House, Trinity College, D’Olier Street, Burgh Quay and finished at George’s Quay with the view of James Gandon’s Custom House. These walks attracted capacity groups of twenty-five people each in the wonderful summer weather of 2013.

Autumn 2013 Dublin’s Georgian Northside introductory Tour On two Saturdays in October and one in midDecember, Joseph Lynch, IGS Heritage Tourism intern, organised an introductory tour of Dublin’s Georgian Northside core from the arrival of the Duke of Ormonde to the development of the Gardiner Estate. The tour began at Capel Street Bridge and travelled along Jervis and Mary Street, Henrietta Street, Bolton Street, Dominick Street, Parnell Square, North Great George’s Street and finished at Mountjoy Square. In spite of less benign weather conditions than our summer outings, Joseph’s tours were very well attended and gave a great insight into the architectural development of the city north of the Liffey from 1660 to the end of the Georgian era.

31 August 2013 Morning walking tour of the Glenageary, Glasthule and Sandycove John Holohan led a Saturday morning walking tour of the Glenageary, Glasthule and Sandycove area. With the opening of Glenageary Railway Station in the 1850s, many fine Victorian and Edwardian houses were built for the burgeoning professional and merchant classes. Seen on the walk were houses like Sharavogue and Alderley, Glasthule Lodge and early 20th century artisan dwellings in Glasthule and the Gothic-style St. Joseph’s Church. The group continued along Sandycove promenade to Sandycove Point to visit the Michael Scott-designed Geragh, courtesy of the Casey family. The walk ended at the Martello Tower with a talk on the history of the building and its literary connections.

10 September 2013 Annual Meeting of the Irish Georgian Society The 2013 Annual Meeting of the Irish Georgian Society was held in the City Assembly House in South William Street. We were delighted to welcome many of our members to the first meeting in our new home. IGS President Patrick Guinness took the Chair at the meeting which looked back at a year of exciting change for the

IGS. Members enjoyed a glass of wine and finger food after the meeting.

24 September 2013 A visit to 36 Ailesbury Road On a soft September morning, a group of Georgians assembled at 36 Ailesbury Road, formerly known as Mytilene, which has been the official residence of France’s Ambassador to Ireland since the 1930s. Our visit was very kindly arranged by IGS member and supporter, Vivienne Whyte. The tour was guided by Mlle Stéphanie Fy, M.Arch, MUP Architect and Urban Designer, who has studied and worked in Paris, Barcelona and Dublin. She outlined a history of the building - an impressive detached house featuring twin entrance gates, flanked by square granite pillars with a granite balustrade and wide steps leading to a pillared front entrance, constructed of white bricks with inset designs of black bricks and an ornamental rosette frieze with porcelain finish. We then visited the main reception rooms where Stéphanie elaborated upon various aspects of each room. In the dining room we were greeted by the majordome who explained the intricacies of the formal place setting à la française. Finally, we had a walk around the magnificent jardins. It was a delightful tour and our guide was both gracious and generous with her time.

26 October 2013 Belfield tour IGS member Aoife Kavanagh organised a fascinating Saturday tour of Belfield buildings and sculpture, led by UCD academic and Newman House curator, Ruth Ferguson. Meeting at the New Student Centre, the tour looked at a fascinating mix of new and old architecture and pieces of appropriate sculpture on our walk. We visited the sparkling new Science Centre and saw the Kevin Barry stained glass window recently installed in the Health Sciences building. After welcome refreshments in the newly restored Ardmore House, we finished up in Belfield House with its extensive art collection and its fine neoclassical sculpture of Hibernia with the bust of Lord Cloncurry in the porch.

30 October 2013 A special evening to celebrate Georgian Dublin’s domestic ironwork with Dublin Civic Trust at 4 Castle Street The Dublin Civic Trust welcomed IGS members to 4 Castle Street for a special evening to celebrate Georgian Dublin’s domestic ironwork. We were welcomed by Geraldine Walsh and Graham Hickey

REGULAR – EVENTS ROUND-UP

01 Edward Galvin welcoming group led by Pat Murray to Ardmulchan, an extraordinary redbrick house near Slane, Co. Meath 02 the ‘flying’ staircase at Woodbrook, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford 03 Murrough Kavanagh explaining the history of Borris House, Co. Carlow 04 Giles Fitzherbert of Woodbrook House, where we had lunch 05 The wonderful plasterwork of the Ballroom in Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly.

of DCT with a glass of wine and an invitation to view the Dublin’s Georgian Domestic Ironwork exhibition, curated by blacksmith Karl Rapple. We were then treated to two illustrated talks Dr. Rachel Moss, President of the Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland, took us through her collection of glass negatives which contained newly re-discovered original photographs of 18th-century ironwork taken for, but not all published in, the Georgian Society Records (1908-13). Karl Rapple’s illustrated talk showed us the wealth of ironwork (both past and still in situ) around Dublin’s Georgian Squares. A very enjoyable and informative evening.

07 December 2013 IGS Christmas party at the City Assembly House Our 2013 Christmas party was held in the City Assembly House and we were happy to welcome over 100 of our members along to our new headquarters. The bookshop was open with our full range of items for sale and members could avail of our shop discount too. Plenty of food, wine and friendly mingling took the sting off the cold winter weather outside. Our raffle raised almost €1000 and we were delighted that so many of you came and celebrated with us.

25 January 2014 Launch of the Twin Cathedral Waterford Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society or travelling to Drogheda for a day tour, including a visit to Townley Hall IGS members had a difficult choice between attending the launch of the Twin Cathedral Waterford Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society or travelling to Drogheda for a day tour, including a visit to Townley Hall. On 25th January those members travelling to Drogheda left Dublin in stormy weather and arrived at our first stop where a collision with the pier of the gate at Woodmill Bridge left the bus mirror swinging in the very stiff breeze - luckily our driver was able to have it replaced on the day. We were warmly welcomed by Alison and Peter Lyons with tea, coffee and assorted pastries in beautiful matching china, in their house, originally an 18th century linen mill on the banks of the river Mattock which they converted to a house and sympathetically extended in 1989. We then moved on to Townley Hall, where the very knowledgeable Brendan Kiernan, from the School of Philosophy and Economic Science, conducted us around this Francis Johnston classical masterpiece with its wonderful restrained plasterwork, original floors, doors and windows and the magnificent circular stair hall with its cantilevered Portland stone stairs. A fascinating

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visit concluded in the kitchen area below the hall with its four hand basins carved from a single block arranged around the main support pillar of the main rotunda. We then enjoyed lunch among the artworks in the Franciscan church building housing the Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda. Architect and founder of Drogheda Civic Trust Emmet Humphreys then conducted a walking tour of the town, from the Medieval Gate and Old Abbey Lane, viewing examples of architecture, like old Dutch Billy buildings, Johnston’s Corn Exchange, St. Peter’s Church and graveyard, the Victorian Clarkes Bar (birthplace of artist Nano Reid) and the rebuilt Grammar School - which was demolished contrary to planning law in the 1980s. A cloudburst ended the walk, while a welcome glass of wine in the Highlanes gallery revived us for our bus journey back to Dublin.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 The Last Knight Our 2014 lecture series were held in the Daniel O’Connell Room in the City Assembly House. Preceded by tea/coffee and biscuits, most were very well attended and a couple were completely booked out with waiting lists. In late January, 2014 Robert O’Byrne turned his masterful lecture style on the life of the last Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald, our late President. This talk was completely booked out.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 The Leeson Family Dr. Aidan O’Boyle’s lecture in February which examined the social and cultural life of the Leeson family of Russborough and Dublin, drew on previously unpublished material. Also in February, Dr John Knightly drew extensively on his doctoral research on the Godfrey family and the Kilcoleman Estate in Co. Kerry from the 17th century till their departure from Kerry in the late 20th century. A fascinating insight too into the place of the big house and its hinterland. In early March IGS member and horology enthusiast, David Boles, delivered a fascinating talk on Irish clocks from the 18th and 19th centuries. David’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Irish grandfather and mantle clocks satisfied the very knowledgeable audience and led to a lively questions and answers session after the talk.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 Leix Offaly Plantations On 1st April, Máirtín D’Alton lectured on the Architecture of the Leix Offaly Plantations c.1540—1600. He was a joint recipient of the Desmond Guinness Scholarship for his MLitt

thesis on the subject and was able to impart some very interesting new information on the buildings, landscapes and the influence of this Plantation on the subsequent Ulster settlement.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 Casimir Markievicz at The United Arts Club In mid- April, Dr John Maiben Gilmartin brought his talk on Casimir Markievicz to IGS members in the apt surroundings of The United Arts Club in Lr Fitzwilliam Street as Casimir Markievicz was a founder member of the Club and a number of his artistic works are on display there. A wine reception was followed by Dr Gilmartin’s talk which featured Markievicz’s painting depicting a St Patrick’s Order ceremony and also touched on his life and creative career. At the end of April, chartered surveyor Frank Keohane delivered a very thought-provoking talk arguing for the compilation of a nationwide Buildings at Risk Register. He argued that this was necessary to ensure that, when some significant investment in building conservation becomes available, buildings of architectural merit most at risk will be allocated funding. Frank has already completed a BaR Register for Co. Cork.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 The McClintock Bunburys On 14th May, author, Turtle Bunbury gave a very engaging lecture on his family the McClintock Bunburys of Lisnavagh. Turtle’s ancestors settled in Ireland in the 16th century, travelled the world and his family is intertwined with so many others that his family history is a history of Ireland and the British Empire.

Winter/Spring talks 2013/14 James Malton Irish Prints Our last lecture of the Winter/Spring 2014 series was given on 21st May by Andrew Bonar Law who spoke about the Irish Prints of James Malton. He brought along several collections of prints to illustrate his talk. All in all it was a very successful first series of lectures in the City Assembly House.

13 March 2015 Castle Market and South City Market John Holohan led a walk from Castle Street to St Werburgh’s Church in Dublin. The group met at the City Assembly House and set off towards South Great Georges Street, paying attention to the original features still intact in the buildings along the way, especially the

Castle Market and South City Market. The group passed City Hall by Thomas Ivory, the Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers Society house on Palace Street and visited the City Rates Office, formerly the Newcomen Bank. The walk finished in St Werburgh’s Church which is one of the city’s oldest churches still in use and retains its fine architectural features.

13 May 2014 Co. Laois John Holohan led a coach day tour to Co. Laois, leaving from Dublin with the first stop being Stradbally Hall, home of the Cosby family, designed in the great Victorian style of Belfast Architects Lanyon and Lynn. Adrian Cosby recounted the history of the family, the estate and the building of the present house which replaced an earlier one with an even earlier one sited close to the town, developed by the Cosbys. Lunch was in the delightful doll’s house Palladian country house, Roundwood House, with Hanna and Paddy Flynn and was served in the galleried Library in the converted stables. After lunch the group moved on to Castle Durrow gardens where the head gardener conducted a guided tour through all the aspects of the planting and landscape features of the 18th century estate. The last stop was Clonageeragh House, home of IGS members Adrienne and Glascott Symes who treated the group to afternoon tea. The house is a well maintained 1840s two storey over basement country house with a unique oval walled garden. Tea was served on the terrace in the sun which was a delightful way to end a wonderful day in Co. Laois

12 July 2014 Summer party The summer 2014 programme began with Summer Drinks in Lissen Hall, in Swords on 12th July. Members were warmly greeted at the door by Sir Robert and Lady Goff. They, with their family and everyone at Lissen Hall looked after us so well. It was a lovely day, overcast but warm and drinks and canapes were served in the garden until a shower brought everyone inside just in time for our Vice President, Robert O’Byrne to thank our gracious hosts and congratulate the 2014 Desmond Guinness Scholarship winner, Zara Power. John O’Brien called the numbers in our raffle – we had so many wonderful prizes from generous friends of the IGS that we raised almost €1000 from ticket sales from our equally generous attendees. John Holohan very kindly conducted tours of the house and the evening sped by until we dispersed at 7pm.

REGULAR – EVENTS ROUND-UP

01 Thurleholm Castle, Sweden, now home of Count Christer Bonde, dates from the 1730s

09 June 2014 Tour of Swedish Palaces and Country Houses. By Malcolm Howe Led by Rose Mary Craig and directed by Harriet Landseer, to whom we are indebted for their kind services, two consecutive tours of sixty Irish Georgian Society members enjoyed visiting fourteen splendid mansions in five days, staying in charming unusual hotels, the Lady Hamilton in old Stockholm and Södertuna Slott, Griesta. We also sampled tasty Swedish fare, notwithstanding the astronomical price of wine. Memorable meals included sea trout on an island as the sun set over the archipelago and melt in the mouth cod in the cellar of Stockholm’s oldest restaurant. Lingonberries picked from the Arctic Tundra garnished delicious sauced meat and the sweets were mainly tasty creations from fresh fruit in season. The grand houses were designed in the good taste of the best of European Classical architecture embracing Baroque, Rococo, Pompeian, Neoclassical and Empire styles. Three decorative features were vernacular to Sweden: magnificent Swedish crystal chandeliers, adorned almost every room with the facets sparkling with rainbow hues; fine rose red or leaf green silk, woven in

Sweden, still decorated some of the walls ; the Gustavian style, named after King Gustaf III, inspired by his visit to Italy, including huge yet handsome stoves with attractive tiles of different floral designs in each of the main rooms. However, nowhere did we see anything that equalled the famed Irish staircase with beautiful balustrades. Swedish stairs were constructed from sturdy stone without much ornamentation. In the 1776 Drottningholm Court Theatre, an Irish volunteer effectively operated the original wind and thunder machinery and we visited the Chinese Pavilion admiring the exquisite interiors. Rosersberg was the home of the first king of the current dynasty, Bernadotte, one of Napoleon’s Marshals, who had side-tracked the French plans to invade Sweden, chosen by the Swedes in 1810 to succeed the childless Carl XIII who adopted him as heir. The guide told us that Bernadotte was so rich he eradicated Sweden’s national debt and the splendid regal portrait there, depicted him holding his adoption papers, enthroned in majesty. Thureholm was the vast home of Count Christer Bonde whose grandfather had bought the estate. There were separate wings for the

count and his countess and the house suffers from the opposite of subsidence in that the ground rises measurably each year. At Elghammar, the twenty-eight-yearold Duc d’Otrante showed the first tour the imposing state rooms including his extensive library. The ancestor of Sweden‘s most eligible bachelor was the Minister of Police of Napoleon who created him a Duke. On display there were his Napoleonic Court Dress uniforms resplendent with gold embroidery. The family moved from France to Sweden in the 19th century and the fourth duke married successively two Swedish noblewomen. Finally at Heby, home of Henrik and Anna Lofgren who are tastefully restoring the property which they bought in 2012, we enjoyed drinks outside in the sunshine. When we realised that the original budget for the tour had not anticipated the current fall in the Euro, Peter Acheson, vice LordLieutenant of Co. Tyrone, organised a whip round to ensure the Irish Georgian Society would not be out of pocket!

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02 A 12th century carving at Rahan Church Charleville Castle, Co Offaly 03 Karin O’Flanagan on the steps of Charleville Castle, Co Offaly 04 Bonnie Vance in the main hall with attentive members Adrienne Hume and Jim White amongst others.

09 August 2014 A group of 27 IGS members set out from Kildare Street for a day trip to Offaly. By Karin O’Flanagan First stop was Charleville Castle, Tullamore, where Dudley Stewart and Bonnie Vance, of the Charleville Castle Heritage Trust (CCHT) entertained us with coffee while explaining how they operate. Dudley dedicated the visit to Desmond Guinness, who co-founded the CCHT with Dr Maurice Craig and Anthony Cronin, in 1997. It was heartening to see the progress that has been made in conserving Francis Johnson’s masterpiece. The Trust has a principle of not incurring debt, and conservation work is carried out as funds allow. The main source of funding is from the organization of festivals, and by renting the Castle as a film location. The Trust see their main task is to keep the building dry and ventilated, and to this end, the building is not heated, but a strong core of dedicated volunteers open windows on dry, windy days, and keep watch (through the night, if considered necessary) in wet weather. Priority is given to keeping the gutters and valleys clear. Next stop was St. Carthage Church of Ireland, Rahan where we were met by the obliging Brian Thomas. The small 12th-century church is much loved by its congregation,

and has been beautifully restored, under the supervision of Howley Hayes Architects. The sheelagh-na-gig associated with the site has been mounted on the wall to the left of the door for all to see. Then it was on to Boher Church, Ballycumber, where Fr McTieran met us and showed us St Manchan’s Shrine which, following a theft, has recently been returned to the church, and is displayed in its clever and elegant new security case. The other treasure associated with the church is the suite of five Harry Clarke windows, the last made by his own hand, in 1931, before he died. Three of these windows are situated behind the altar, and depict Our Lady, St, Joseph, and the Sacred Heart. The window dedicated to St. Manchan depicts him with his shrine, and there is a very fine contemporary window also dedicated to the saint, by George Walsh (2011). A warming lunch awaited us in The Old Fort Restaurant in Shannonbridge. The late 18thcentury fortifications, part of the same antiNapoleon defensive strategy as the Martello Towers, are surprisingly intact, and make for a very atmospheric dining experience. We had a very enjoyable visit to Clonony Castle, where Rebecca Armstrong Black

graciously provided afternoon tea, while regaling us with tales of her adventures in conservation. She has created a fascinating home in this historic castle, with its associations with the MacCoughlin clan, passing then to the Boleyn family, and with the 16th century merchant Matthew de Renzy, whose letters provide a surprising insight into the society of his time. We finished our long day out with a quick drive around the charming estate village of Geashill, associated with the Digby family. It was developed by the family in the 1860s, and was recently declared an Architectural Conservation Area, by Offaly County Council.

Chapter Reports Kevin Hurley, Dr Ursula Callaghan, John Joyce, Dean Maria Jansson, John R Redmill, Ashleigh Murray & Maribeth Walsh

With Chapters in Birr, Cork, Limerick and Waterford in Ireland, and overseas in London, New York, Chicago, Palm Beach and Dallas, members can enjoy talks and events in Ireland and abroad as the various reports for happenings over the last eighteen months show.

01 Members of the Cork Chapter on outings during 2014 at Emo Court, Co. Laois 02 in Kenmare, Co. Kerry 03 at Doneraile Court, Co. Cork.

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Cork Chapter Kevin Hurley On Saturday 24th November 2012 the Cork Chapter met on a cold but, thankfully, dry morning, when Alicia St Leger brought the members on a study tour of the South Parish looking at various buildings. We met at the city hall that was built in 1936 in gleaming white limestone to the designs of Jones & Kelly. We looked at the former Model School designed by James Owen that now serves as the Cork District Court House. We learned that its campanile was used for students of mercantile studies and they could observe shipping coming and going. St Ann & Joachim’s Asylum was constructed for the accommodation of distressed gentlefolk and noted that the word asylum was used in a benign sense and referred to a refuge. Newenham Terrace was our next stop where we were given a guided tour of a house which has been restored using the very best conservation standards. The South Chapel, Dunbar Street beckoned and soon we were standing outside the church, an example of an early pre-Emancipation chapel and therefore well out of site. The best known feature of the church today is the carving of the ‘Dead Christ’ by John Hogan. We concluded our day with a visit to the Quaker Meeting House where we received wonderful hospitality and enjoyed good food prepared by Myrtle Allen and Geraldine O’Riordan with refreshments served by the Society of Friends. The Cork Chapter hosted the Journal launch at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Saturday 26th January. Fifty-five members of the Society had lunch at Isaacs restaurant on McCurtain Street from where Alicia St Leger took us on a tour (in the pouring rain) from the High Victorian streetscape of MacCurtain Street to the restrained Georgian architecture of North Mall and Grenville Place. We observed the work of the Wide Street Commissioners on Washington Street from the steps of the Court House that featured in an article by Louise Harrington published in the Journal. Further on, we looked up to see the ramparts of Elizabeth Fort and finally came upon St Fin Barre’s Cathedral where Richard Wood brought the group on an exhilarating tour of the cathedral. With little time to spare Richard then launched the Journal while recalling many of the campaigns that the Society was involved in over the years,he then commended the

Journal to one and all. Grateful thanks to the committee and to Alicia St Leger for the tour and Geraldine O’Riordan and Maura Currivan for looking after the catering arrangements and to Eveline St Leger for providing the light refreshments. Fota House once again hosted our annual lecture and we were delighted to welcome the president of the Society Patrick Guinness to present a lecture ‘How my parents Desmond & Mariga influenced me’ which didn’t disappoint. As usual we enjoyed a lunch which was followed by a tour of Fota by Geraldine O’Riordan who delighted the attendees on the day with her knowledge of the house and its art works. Prior to the presentation, Alicia St. Leger and Kevin Hurley presented a ten year review of visits and events. Soon it was time for the main event and we were enthralled by Patrick’s charming presentation of the early days of the Society when both Desmond and his late mother Mariga were involved in so many different aspects of fund raising and generating publicity for the good work of the Society. Geraldine O’Riordan led a tour on Thursday 25th April where our first stop was Rockrohan House where we werea met by our host Richard Wood and treated to an informed guided tour of Richard’s collection of Irish art and furniture. There followed refreshments and soon we reluctantly departed for the Inniscarra hydro-electric power station that was completed in 1957. Our guides explained the construction and operations of the dam and we also learned about the fish pass and hatchery and were delighted to observe a family of otters in the waters below, a not unusual sight around the dam. We ate in Toon’s Bridge Cafe where we enjoyed an appetising lunch. We then departed for Bealick Mill which has seen many uses in its day including providing street lighting for Macroom–while London was still relying on gaslights. Having seen many years of dereliction, today the mill house stands resplendently restored while its wheel once again turns to the force of the Larney River. The Cork Chapter would like to acknowledge the work of the Grange Frankfield Partnership that has been lobbying Cork County Council to secure the future of Vernon Mount. We were delighted to observe works being carried out to the roof and chimney stacks of the house last

November that will halt the ingress of rain water and protect the valuable interior. Tribute must be paid to Tony Foy, Brendan Kelleher and Ger Lehane. For full reports and more photographs see our blog : igscork.blogspot.com

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Limerick Chapter Dr Ursula Callaghan It has been a busy year for the Limerick Chapter. Our autumn/winter lecture series 2013 proved to be very popular with full houses each night at No 1, Pery Square. Our first speaker was Dr Rachel Finnegan, who travelled from Waterford to tell us about her new book on the letters of Bishop Pococke from 1737 to 1741 while on his grand tour. Our next event was our annual memorial lecture for the Knight of Glin. We moved venue for this event as we anticipated a much larger crowd, of family, friends and supporters of the Irish Georgian Society. We had over 70 people join us on the night. It was a mix of sadness and enjoyment as Nicholas Robinson’s lecture entitled Poking fun at the Great and the Good in the golden age of Caricature celebrated the Knight of Glin in a unique way. In November we paid a tribute to another deceased long-time member and enthusiast of the Irish Georgian Society, Anne Holliday (1953-2011). Locally renowned historian and long-time member of the Limerick Chapter, Liam Irwin entertained a full house with his talk ‘Every Picture tells a Story’ and what a story he had to tell about the Limerick Hellfire Club. Family members who were in attendance were very appreciative of the lecture and noted that she (Anne) would have loved it. Our Christmas Review gave us an opportunity to thank all our supporters who attended our Chapter events. Our Chairman Dr David Fleming resigned in October 2013 and our new Chairperson Dr. Ursula Callaghan paid tribute to him and all the work he has done with the Chapter presenting him with a gift from the committee. Our guest speaker on the night was Robert O’Byrne, Vice President of the Irish Georgian Society, and he also launched his book The Last Knight. Madame Olda Fitzgerald and Ms Susie Gwyn Jones from Lough Cutra joined us also to share mince pies, mulled wine and fun on the night. Our final foray for the year was a trip to Birr Castle to attend the Birr Chapter’s Christmas Party. We were not disappointed. On a rather blustery and wet night the Birr Chapter introduced us to their friends and supporters, especially Lord and Lady Rosse who were our generous hosts. Our new year started with a full events calendar already planned for 2014, including lectures, tours, the Traditional

Building Skills programme and the Georgian Pop Up museum for the Limerick City of Culture. Our focus this year was to raise awareness about all things Georgian within the city. However, our first item was a trip to Waterford to the launch of their new Chapter. We got to see first hand the twin cathedrals and the wonderful architecture of these buildings and much more. Mr Julian Walton gave a talk at each venue that brought the buildings to life for us. The trip also afforded us the opportunity to meet up with many old friends from all the other Chapters. Thank you to all involved especially Rev. Maria Jansson, the Dean of Waterford, who helped make it such a wonderful weekend. Our first speaker was Tom Cassidy, both the city and county Conservation Officer. We had a packed house and he spoke on the conservation of the bricks and mortar, the stuff that holds our buildings together. Eric O’Neill, artist blacksmith also gave a passionate, detailed and informative talk on the condition of the ironwork in the city. Finally we had Dr Finola O’Kane who spoke on Landscape and the picturesque in Georgian Ireland. This was followed by the very successful May weekend when the Traditional Building Skills programme came to Limerick. It was a tremendous success despite the weather. Emmeline Henderson had organised a wonderful list of speakers and craftspeople who did not disappoint. The Limerick Chapter was delighted to help out and it gave us another opportunity to meet members of other Chapters who came along to visit. The event was run in the Hunt Museum and the guest lectures were full to capacity each day and while the weather was unkind we still managed to attract a lot of visitors. The highlight of the weekend though was the guest speaker Mr Jeremy Irons, who spoke on the renovation and conservation of Kilcoe Castle, his home in West Cork. He spoke to a packed audience in St Mary’s Cathedral. He was master of his subject and he did not disappoint all those who came to hear him speak. In June we took a tour to Birr Castle and Lord and Lady Rosse spent the day showing us around the Castle and its grounds. The Birr Chapter treated us to a walking tour of this lovely Georgian town and Lord Rosse

joined us also. Indeed the highpoint of the day was the last hour of our tour when Lord Rosse gave an impromptu tour of the Garden at Birr Castle. This is a venue not to be ignored; it has something for everyone. The Limerick Chapter was really appreciative of the special attention we received from Lord and Lady Rosse on the day. The final event for the chapter was the launch of the Georgian Pop Up Museum for the City of Culture. This was open June, July and August over weekends and one evening a week. A lecture was held each Wednesday at 7.30pm on a wide range of topics, with upward of 40 people in attendance. It has been a tremendous success, with over 2500 people in to see it. The project was volunteer-led and managed by Cáit Ní Cheallacháin, Conservation Architect, and Dr Ursula Callaghan, Historian/ Consultant. The highpoint of the summer was our Georgian Day Out where we had an opportunity to share with visiting Georgians aspects of Limerick they had not seen before. Over 150 people attended our walking tours, theatrical performance at the Pop Up Museum, with lunch at the Hunt Museum and a tour of the exhibition on the day. Many thanks to all involved and who helped out over the past year. If we had one message to send out to others it is that collaboration with people from other disciplines is the key. Sharing knowledge and skills with others led to the success of all of our events. We have a planned list of speakers for the autumn winter season ahead and while this year will be a hard act to follow we are already planning our Calendar of Events for 2015.

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Birr Chapter John Joyce

Waterford Chapter Dean Maria Jansson

Unfortunately as the weather was not conducive to outdoor activities and travelling there is very little to report from our Chapter. Still our members were not deterred when we held our Christmas party which turned out to be a huge success in the glorious setting of Birr Castle, home to the Parson family. At the Castle there was a lovely homely Christmassy atmosphere, greatly added to with the presence of the smaller children and the beautiful Christmas decorations all around. Not to mention mulled wine playing a major role! All who attended appeared to enjoy themselves. We were greatly excited when it was proposed that the Birr Workhouse be chosen as a project for the creation of the National Diaspora Centre in Birr. A steering group was set up at an open meeting of town councillors, owner Finbarr McLoughlin, Brian Rafferty, Tipperary Town Councillor, Birr historian, Margaret Hogan, and representatives and interested parties from clubs and societies, to plan a presentation for Fáilte Ireland before the Government chose the best location. Alas, it would appear that our efforts have come to naught! The passing in early December of the well-known and highly regarded astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore was our sad loss; he was regarded as a great friend and advisor to Lord and Lady Rosse. Our recent Cork summer tour took place mid June. It was good to be out and abroad again and see new places and faces garnering plenty of interesting news for our next newsletter to record.

The launch of the Twin Cathedral Chapter in January on the tercentenary of John Roberts’ birth included talks and worship in both cathedrals as would have been conducted in the 1790s. We got tremendous support from the Irish Georgian Society, local and national media, John Deasy TD, historian Julian Walton, as well as from the cathedrals’ choirs and musical directors, Dr Eric Sweeney and Celia Keogh. Particular thanks go to Damien Tiernan, RTÉ, who produced a particularly good piece which aired on Nationwide the following weekend. The founding of the Twin Cathedral Trinity Gospel Choir attests not just to the historical and architectural links between the two cathedrals, but also to a living heritage and ecumenical relationship. The choir sings once a month in Christ Church at 10am and then in Barronstand Street at midday. In July the multi-ethnic Discovery Gospel Choir gave a concert for the city and Trinity sang with them. Christ Church pulsed life, diversity and energy. Many came through the doors for the first time and were surprised by the beauty of the place. Unfortunately, the planned exhibition in Christ Church Cathedral of Mike Bunn’s Volto Angelo which had been enjoyed by many in Dublin when his wonderful photographs were shown in the City Assembly House earlier in the year, had to be deferred. Our first chapter visit was to neighbouring Wexford where local historian Eithne Scallan addressed the group in St Iberius Church and we spent a morning exploring the building. This was followed by a guided tour of the Wexford Opera House and the day ended with a visit to Pugin’s recently renovated chapel in Barntown just outside Wexford. One of the great developments has been the interest in Waterford shown by other chapters. We welcomed members of the Birr Chapter on August 30th and a few weeks later those of the Limerick chapter and hope to make a trip to both places in the future. We were privileged that President and Mrs Higgins visited both cathedrals in June. The President asked specifically to hear the Elliot organ in Christ Church and was given a brief recital by Dr Eric Sweeney. They were given a tour of both cathedrals by Julian Walton.

01 On the steps of Damer House, Roscrea, Co Tipperary with members from Cork, Dublin and Waterford 02 The exterior of one of John Roberts’ Waterford Cathedrals 03 Walking tour of Limerick’s Georgian core with Judith Hill 04 The Crescent, Limerick

London Chapter

London Chapter John R Redmill & Ashleigh Murray The London Chapter has had a most interesting fifteen months since the last Newsletter report, thanks to the Committee members, particularly Colm Owens, who give so much time to plan and organise events throughout the year; without them there would be no events at all. The Committee is also most grateful to the members who support our events, making everything worthwhile and also helping the work of the Society in Ireland. After a particularly wet tour at the end of May 2013 in Cumbria with the 20 Ghost Club, our summer programme concluded with two events, the first being a visit to two Hammersmith houses in early June. Both are significant 18th-century houses, but both are particularly associated with the great Arts-and-Crafts designer William Morris. No 7 Hammersmith Terrace is the earlier of the two, and was the home of Morris’ great friend, the typographer Emery Walker; the trust in his name was set up in 1999. After lunch nearby, we went to Kelmscott House, Morris’s own home from 1878, the year after he had founded the first conservation society in the UK, until his death in 1896. Morris ran his private printing company from premises nearby and today, while the house is privately owned, its Coach House houses the William Morris Society, whose annual garden party we were able to join during the afternoon. Our own Summer Drinks Party in early July, most kindly hosted by members Fielding and the Hon Dr Julia King in their garden in Lexham Gardens. As part of the evening, Dr King gave a short account of her forthcoming book on George Hadfield, a pupil of James Wyatt during the 1780s before he emigrated to the USA and his work on many important buildings in Washington DC; he also designed Annaghmore House in Co. Offaly in about 1790. Our Autumn programme began with a visit to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, the home of the Marquesses of Salisbury, and Knebworth, home of the Lyttons. Hatfield is one of the greatest Jacobean ‘Prodigy Houses’, but in the grounds are the surviving parts of the old Royal Palace built in 1497 and where the future Queen Elizabeth was confined for much of her youth by her sister Queen Mary. James l gave the property to his chief minister Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, who rebuilt most of the house from 1608 onwards.

Knebworth was first built only 7 years before the Old Palace of Hatfield, but it too was drastically rebuilt and completely altered during the 19th century, first in 1813 and then during the 1840s for Henry Kendall, and it is his mock-Tudor house that is on show today. Perhaps more surprising, many of the interiors of Knebworth were designed by Edwin Lutyens, whose wife was the sister of Edward Bulwer Lytton, whose descendant Henry Cobbold Lytton is the present owner. The day concluded at Scott’s Grotto, probably the largest grotto in the country. Built during the late 1760s at a reputed cost of £10,000 by the Quaker poet John Scott, it was acquired by the local District Council in 1974 to prevent its threatened demolition. On Sunday 13th October 2013 the London YIGs, ably organised by Ashleigh Murray, visited Chiswick House, West London, a magnificent neo-Palladian villa that was originally built as a wing that sat beside an older Jacobean house. The construction of the villa began about 1726-9 to the designs of its owner the Irishman Richard Boyle (1694-1753), 3rd Earl of Burlington, assisted by William Kent (1685-1748). An English Heritage guide gave the main tour and provided a fascinating insight into the overall history and significance of the house. Ashleigh then gave a short talk on the Summer Parlour (built c.1716), a standalone garden room connected to the villa by a covered walkway, and she revealed its great importance and connection with Lady Burlington and William Kent. After this, some members went to the nearby Hogarth’s House, built c.1700, the country home of the great painter William Hogarth (1697-1764) from 1749 until his death. A visit to the downright bizarre 575 Wandsworth Road was a treat for Halloween, and showed how to transform a modest two-up two-down into a vision of the Moorish architecture of Southern Spain. Khadambi Asalache, a poet and civil servant, purchased the house in 1981 and, having decorated and furnished the interiors, left it to the National Trust on his death in 2006; it first opened to the public in early 2013. A few days later, Mayo-man David Hicks gave an excellent lecture on the recent changes to a number of Irish country houses in recent years.

The magnificent former Ballroom, now the Coffee Room, of the In-and-Out Club was the lavish venue of our now Annual Pre-Christmas Formal Dinner, kindly organised as always by Tim and Marylyn Bacon. The club, correctly the Naval and Military Club, was founded in 1862 but the building itself is a 1728 rebuild of a house built in the 1670s. Our evening began with the private launch of The Last Knight: A Celebration of Desmond FitzGerald by the well-known author Robert O’Byrne, who then regaled us with entertaining stories of his visits to various Irish country houses and their not always welcoming owners. It was lovely to also welcome the Knight’s widow Madame Olda FitzGerald, as well as our founder Desmond Guinness and his wife Penny, along with many other friends and supporters. In early 2014 we had another first-rate lecture, this one on ‘The Big House Library in Ireland’, given by Mark Purcell, Libraries Curator for the National Trust, who concentrated on the libraries and their owners of country houses in Northern Ireland. This took place at the National Liberal Club, after which several stayed for dinner afterwards. Volume XVI of the Society’s Architectural and Decorative Studies was launched on 12th February at the Authors’ Club in deepest Soho, which was followed in mid-March by our traditional St Patrick’s Day Party at Lettsom House, near Cavendish Square, attended by over 70 members. In timehonoured fashion, the year’s events were reprised as an illustrated slide show by Chairman John Redmill, and this was followed by a short presentation by Dr David Fleming, Society and Board Chairman, of the work of the Society in Ireland. David also announced the launch of the Society’s Small Grants Scheme, funded by the London Chapter, and, at his request, the retirement of John Redmill as Chairman of the London Chapter, after 24 years in that role; on behalf of the Society, David thanked John for all his work as Chairman and during the 40 years he has been a London Committee member. The usual excellent buffet supper afterwards was provided by Fabulous Feasts. Martin Wyatt, Deputy Director of the Handel House Museum, gave a tour of 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, home of G. F. Handel from 1723 to his death in 1759, on the

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evening of 9th April. The tour was preceded by drinks in the exhibition room, and followed by a harpsichord recital of Baroque music, a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all who attended. Ashleigh Murray also organised a YIG visit to Kenwood House on Sunday 11th May 2014. Kenwood House, now owned by English Heritage, originally dates from the 17th century but was remodelled and extended by Robert Adam (1728-1792) for William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, from 1764 to 1779. In the early 20th century, it was owned by Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh. Our tour took place shortly after the house re-opened after being closed for nearly a year – the Caring for Kenwood restoration programme. Half of the tour was delivered by one of the main Kenwood House tour guides, while the rest was given by Richard Ireland, the UK’s leading conservator of historic plaster and paint. Richard gave a captivating talk about his involvement with the redecoration of the library. The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the London Chapter visiting various country houses in Norfolk with the 20 Ghost Club and a number of their historic Rolls-Royces, a tour organised by John Redmill. Staying at the Knight’s Hill Hotel on the eastern side of King’s Lynn and dining there both evenings, the group of 52 in all enjoyed somewhat better weather than Cumbria provided in 2013 – except that is for Saturday morning! The tour around the magnificent modern gardens of Hilborough were more or less washed out by torrential rain, which then mercifully stopped as soon as, soaked to the skin, we all left for Raynham Hall. This extremely important early classical house, with interiors mainly by William Kent, is the seat of the Marquesses of Townshend, and the present Marquess and Marchioness gave us a wonderful tour in two groups before treating us to a buffet lunch in Kent’s great Marble Hall. The moated Hindringham Hall, built in the early 16th century, was specially opened for us by its present owners Mr and Mrs Tucker, who also gave us tea in the gardens. Sunday saw us all up bright and early, to be at Houghton almost two hours before it opened to the public, thanks to the Marquis of Cholmondeley, so we had a private tour of this great mansion designed by Colen Campbell in 1726 for Sir

Robert Walpole, contemporary and equivalent of William Conolly of Castletown; surely they knew each other? After lunch in the Marquis’s marquee, we drove to nearby East Barsham, an early 16th century house built of the most elaborate brickwork. Sir John Guinness, its current owner, showed us around and then to our surprise revealed the most lavish afternoon tea for us all, served by his daughter and her family. Consuming this as quickly as politeness allowed, we continued to the other great Kentian mansion of Norfolk, Holkham, built from 1735 onwards, where the Earl of Leicester, thanks to member John Narvel tipping him off, was ready to lead us around the stunning interiors himself – a real privilege. Our last house of the day was the delightful Stanhoe, built around 1702 and now the home of Nick and Felicity Lyons; his late father had been Provost of TCD in the 1970s, and Mrs Lyons was also there to greet several members who she knew – and help serve more tea and drinks on the lawns bathed in afternoon sunshine. On Monday morning we first visited Ryston Hall, where Mrs Pratt gave an excellent account of this late 17th-century house, and then went on to Narford, where disappointingly we only saw the exterior, but never mind – we went on to the sensational Sennowe Park, a wonderful Edwardian remodelling of an earlier house for the Cook family, of travel fame. Charles and Virginia Temple-Richards [nephew and niece-in-law of Sir John Cook] were our hosts, and the tour finished with a sumptuous lunch in the Winter Garden, where Jimmy Valentine presented John Redmill with an Irish glass water jug in thanks for organising the event. Copped Hall is another mid 18thcentury Palladian mansion, this time near Epping in Essex. Built from 1751 onwards for John Conyers, the house was completely gutted by an accidental fire in 1917, and has been a ruin ever since. Members John Barber and John Nolan, who live on the estate, arranged a visit to the house for Chapter members in early June, owned and maintained since 1995 by the Copped Hall Trust, whose architect Alan Cox was our guide. After a pub lunch, we went on to Hurst House, an early 18th-century house in Woodford, much enhanced from 1933 onwards with elements from demolished

country houses elsewhere. The final event of the season was our 2014 Summer Party, kindly hosted by Vivienne Guinness at her home in Chepstow Villas. An elegant evening was had by all in this 1850s house, once the home of Thomas Cooper the painter; Vivienne Guinness is an art historian and director of Dublin’s Lilliput Press, as well as being the creator and curator of the Borris House [Co. Carlow] Festival of Writing and Ideas, and we are most grateful for her generosity in allowing this event. As I have now retired as Chairman of the London Chapter, it is with a certain amount of regret that I write this last of my Annual Report of the Chapter’s activities. I am most grateful to all the Committee members, both present and past, who have freely given up their time to organise and lead events, and all those non-members who have given lectures, hosted events and otherwise helped the Chapter with its work in raising interest in the Society, and funds for its work. Long may this continue!

London Chapter

01 Rayham Hall, with the Rolls-Royces and members 02 East Barsham 03 Houghton Hall, as framed by the Marquess of Cholmondeley 04 The only way to arrive to Holkham Halls 05 Cars, cricket, and clouds - the three essentials of the English summer - at Holkham Hall

USA

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 14

IGS Inc. Maribeth Walsh On Sunday February 16th, 2014 Beth Dater, President of the Irish Georgian Society Inc., hosted a thank you cocktail party at the Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach to honor IGS supporters. Among those attending were Lore Dodge, Tom Quick, Sheila O’Malley Fuchs and Joe Fuchs, and MA and Chip Quinn. On Thursday May 1st 2014 members of the Irish Georgian Society were invited to a private viewing of the New York Historical Society’s collection of John James Audubon’s watercolors. This once in a lifetime exhibition depicts water birds, many of which are among Audubon’s most spectacular and largest birds. Enjoying cocktails and the exhibition were Chantal O’Sullivan, Niall Smith, Delia Roche-Kelly, Diane and Jeff Jennings and Annette Lester. Later that month, the Chicago Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society hosted a cocktail reception at Christie’s and a presentation by Dr Conor Lucey, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and Trinity College Dublin, titled Novelties and Necessaries: Home Maintenance in Georgian Dublin. Enjoying this light-hearted look at home maintenance were Michael Kerrigan, Steve Zick, Lawrie Weed and Patsy and Gerry Magner. Convening in Dublin on Saturday September 20th 2014 the New York Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society was met by Marianne Gorman, our tour guide extraordinaire. During seven beautiful days in Ireland we saw beautiful scenery, dined in some wonderful private homes, and had the opportunity to view some of IGS’s projects. Our visit began with Dr Edward McParland, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin, and founder of the Irish Landmark Trust, for a tour of Dublin’s 18th-century squares, both the North and South sides, and St Stephens Green. We then went to one of Dublin’s hidden gems, the sumptuous Rotunda Chapel located in the Rotunda Hospital – the first maternity hospital in the British Isles. The chapel built in 1758 features superb coloured plasterwork by German stuccodore Bartholomew Cramillion. In the afternoon we journeyed out to Lyons Demense in Co. Kildare. Located on over 600 acres, this estate was owned by the late Tony Ryan, founder of Ryan air.

This incredible property with priceless antiques is currently on the market for $60 million. Dinner that evening was at the Kildare Street and University Club where we were joined by Patrick and Louise Guinness. Dr Peter Harbison, internationally renowned author of fine books on High Crosses and Christian Ireland also joined us. On Sunday September 21st we departed early to visit Newgrange, dating from around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. Archeologists regard Newgrange as the great national monument of Ireland and as one of the most important megalithic structures in Europe. We visited Beaulieu for a wonderful lunch with Cara Konig Brock and tour of the house and gardens. IGS has provided assistance in restoring this home. We continued to the famous 9th-century High Crosses of Monasterboice followed by cocktails that evening with Michael and Helen Roden in Merrion Square to view their superb collection of Irish furniture. The next day we took a boat to Lambay, a magical island privately owned by the Baring family trust. Its medieval castle forms part of the only Lutyens-designed home which is still in the occupation and ownership of the original family that commissioned it. Alex Baring is renovating the house and property to use as a vacation spot. Later that evening we toured Castletown House and then on to dinner at Killadoon, home of Charlie and Sally Clements. The IGS assisted with the restoration of the original curtain fabrics. On to Co. Waterford where we stayed at the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. En route we visited Coolmore Stud, one of the world’s most famous and successful stud farms. We then travelled to Kilshannig Stud, home of Hugo Merry, for lunch and a lively discussion of the joys of renovating a period house. They have received some assistance from IGS for restoration of the cupolas. We visited a cluster of homes around Lismore and Cappoquin, located on the most beautiful river in Ireland, the Blackwater. We took a boat trip from Youghal upriver to Dromana, home of the Villiers Stuart family. Perched high overlooking the beautiful Blackwater River, it has been maintained by the same family

since 1200. We were then off to Tourin House and Gardens - home of the Jameson sisters - for a wonderful lunch and Jameson tasting. After lunch we went to nearby Strancally Castle, a grand, iconic castle. Built in the mid 17th-century, it has been totally restored over a period of seven years. We were hosted for dinner that evening at the home of Sir Charles and Lady Corinne Keane at Cappoquin House, an 18thcentury home to the Keane family for over 300 years. On our last day we stopped at Carton House at Maynooth,the former home of the Dukes of Leinster on our return to Dublin. Now an exclusive hotel, Carton has extraordinary plasterwork. Then on to the home of Robert and Ana Wilson Wright for lunch at Coolcarrigan House, an attractive Georgian House built in the 1830s. That evening we dined at the home of Jerry and Rosemarie Healy, IGS Foundation board member. The end of a wonderful trip and a wonderful evening

USA

Sun-filled days in September for members of our American Chapters whose visits included Newgrange, Lambay Island and Castle, Lyons and some wonderful houses along the Blackwater River in Co. Waterford

Lady Anne Dawson Temple By John R Redmill 1 — 02 Before and after, 0 damaged sculpture has been painstakingly re-assembled and repaired at the Lady Anne Dawson Temple at Dartrey Co Monaghan

Members will know of the recent works to the Lady Anne Dawson Temple [or Mausoleum] in Co. Monaghan from the last Newsletter. These works are now almost complete, thanks to the strenuous efforts of Dartrey Heritage Association, with the assistance of Shirley Clerkin of Monaghan County Council - the upper stage of brickwork has been carefully rebuilt, the new dome has been recreated, using zinc instead of the more vulnerable lead for the outer sheeting, and the interior has been re-plastered, using appropriate plaster and mouldings. Noel Carney managed and directed all these works, with John Redmill advising as consultant conservation architect. The great marble monument commemorating the young Lady Anne, designed in 1771 by Joseph Wilton and that had cost her grieving husband 1,000 guineas in 1774, is now complete again, funded by further monies from the London

Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society, and the Leader Programme, and expertly repaired by Eoghan Dulton and Nicola de Silvestri, of Carrara, Italy. This year it has been carefully re-assembled and repaired, the angel’s head and elbow have been returned by those who had rescued them in the 1960s, and the missing elements, including Lord Dartrey’s head, have been recreated using Herculite, a Carrara marble-like plaster. This maintains the distinction between the original sculpture and the new pieces. Just a few last items remain to be carried out, principally the redecoration of the interior and the relaying of the floor – and if only Coillte could now be persuaded, at no costs to the organisation itself, to improve the setting of the Temple by enlarging the clearing surrounding it, and opening up some of the original views from it and to the site of Thomas Dawson’s house – that would be wonderful.

It all goes to show how local people can successfully carry out such projects, through sheer determination and hard work, and these results were shown for the first time on 24th August at an event attended by Heather Humphreys, TD and Minister of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as part of Heritage Week. The future of Thomas Dawson’s expensive, elegant and most touching remembrance of his young wife is at last now assured, for the benefit of future generations of residents and visitors alike, and all who are interested in such structures; an Irish building of international importance has been rescued at the last minute from the very brink of destruction.

Sotheby’s Ireland Dublin, Cork and Northern Ireland We source locally, and sell internationally, securing the best prices for your works from our extensive global network of buyers. Sotheby’s Ireland are delighted to offer the following services: • Auction valuations and free confidential advice without obligation on all fine art and antiques including art, furniture, silver, ceramics, jewellery, wine and books • Probate and insurance valuations • Private Sales • Touring exhibition of our biannual British & Irish Art sale in Ireland • Regular Valuation Days

Enquiries +353 (0) 1 6711 431 dublinoffice@sothebys.com 16 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 sothebys.com

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A collaboration between artist Nesta FitzGerald and writer William Laffan, this charming book explores fifteen of Ireland’s best loved follies and ornamental or garden buildings through text and image. Priced €10, Fabulous Follies of Ireland is available exclusively through the IGS book shop, City Assembly House, 58 South William Street, Dublin 2. The perfect stocking filler!

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WHYTES SINCE 1783

Exceptional results from an exceptional auction house 1. Paul Henry THE LAKE, €93,000 2. Sir John Lavery THE LADY PARMOOR, €50,000 3. Sir William Orpen COLIN DAVID BRODIE, €34,000 4. Roderic O’Conor NATURE MORTE, €30,000

5. Daniel O’Neill TWO WOMEN BY THE SEA, €46,000 6. Mainie Jellett DEATH OF PROCRIS, €32,000 Above are just a few of over 800 exceptional prices paid for works of art at Whyte’s in 2013. Below are just a few of the reasons you should consider Whyte’s for selling your treasures: • A reputation for integrity since 1783, combined with courteous discreet service • Whyte’s discerning clientele – 10,000 art collectors in over 100 countries 2.

• Superbly produced catalogue compiled by qualified art historians • Intensive marketing in printed media, on radio and via the Internet • All sales broadcast live with on-line bidding from around the globe

We now seek exceptional works of art for our Important Irish Art Sale at the RDS on 24 November. Entries for this prestigious event are strictly limited so contact us today to secure this exceptional opportunity: for confidential advice and expert valuations telephone or email Ian Whyte or Sarah Gates at 01 676 2888 or info@whytes.ie Whyte & Sons Auctioneers Ltd is licensed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

38 Molesworth Street Dublin 2 01 676 2888 info@whytes.ie www.whytes.ie

The Art of Graceful Living.

The Art of Graceful Living. The Merrion is unique.

Behind the refined exterior of four lovingly restored Georgian townhouses, Dublin’s most luxurious 5 star hotel has revived a 200 year old tradition of gracious living amidst elegant surroundings. At The Merrion, the spirit of hospitality is as unquenchable as it was when Lord Monck entertained in these great rooms two centuries ago. Expect a welcome as warmThe as itsMerrion roaring logisfires. And attentive service as detailed unique. as the exquisite Rococo plasterwork above you. A stay the shimmering pool and state-of-the-art gym Behind the refihere nedredefines exteriorrelaxation of fourwith lovingly restoredinfinity Georgian townhouses, Dublin’s most as well as the treatment rooms of The Tethra Spa. And as home to the renowned luxurious 5 star hotel has revived a 200 year old tradition of gracious living amidst elegant Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, overlooking authentic 18th century formal gardens, surroundings. At The the spirit hospitalityartiscollection, as unquenchable as it was when Lord and Merrion, Ireland’s largest, privateof contemporary at every turn, Monck entertained inThethese great rooms two centuries ago. Expect a welcome as warm as its Merrion exudes the unmistakable air of timeless excellence.

roaring log fires. And attentive serviceas detailed as the exquisite Rococo plasterwork above you. There nowhere finer toinfi stay. A stay here redefines relaxation with theis shimmering nity pool and state-of-the-art gym as well as the treatment rooms of The Tethra Spa. And as home to the renowned Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, overlooking authentic 18th century formal gardens, and Ireland’s largest, private contemporary art collection, at every turn, The Merrion exudes the unmistakable air of timeless excellence. There is nowhere finer to stay. Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel: 353 1 603 0600 Fax: 353 1 603 0700 e-mail: info@merrionhotel.com Website: www.merrionhotel.com

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Irish Georgian Society Review - 2014