Cork Chapter visit to Fermoy

18th September, 2010
The visit to the Fermoy area by the Cork Chapter attracted one of the largest attendances of any event when over fifty members gathered at Christ Church on the morning of Saturday, 18th September. The rector, the Rev. Eileen Cremin, gave a warm welcome to the group and Bill Power outlined some of the fascinating history of this church which was completed in 1809. Built to the design of Abraham Hargrave, the church originally accommodated not only the parishioners but also the large number of military personnel at the nearby barracks.

Leaving Fermoy, the group travelled the short distance to Careysville House which has been used as a fishing lodge for many years. Owned by the Dukes of Devonshire since the 1930s, the house was built in 1812 on the site of Ballypatrick Castle. It is an attractive building located on a height overlooking the Blackwater River and is well equipped and comfortable for the fishing parties who use it. The group were greeted by Peter Bielski and several friendly dogs!

Having enjoyed their visit to Careysville, members of the group travelled back to Fermoy for lunch at La Bigoudenne restaurant. This is a piece of France in the centre of Fermoy and the delicious food was enjoyed by all present.

Suitably refreshed, the group set off for Ileclash House just three kilometres from Fermoy. The current owner, Michael Frazer, welcomed members and gave an overview of the history of the charming mid-eighteenth century house. the property has been occupied by many different owners, most notably by British political activist Sir Oswald Mosley who lived at Ileclash with his wife Diana Mitford. The house is in excellent condition and sumptuously furnished, with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. Like Careysville, it stands on a height beside the River Blackwater. Members enjoyed viewing the house and walking in the pleasant grounds surrounding it.

The final visit of the day was to Ballinterry House near Rathcormac. Built in the early eighteenth century, like the other two houses it has had a succession of owners. Perhaps the most colourful was American actor Hurd Hatfield who lived at Ballinterry from 1974 until his death in 1998. The current owners have undertaken a sensitive restoration of the property and have created a home that is full of character. Michael Garvey and Ann O'Sullivan were most welcoming to the group and kindly provided refreshments at the end of the visit.

Each of the three houses had it own unique character and charm but were alike in the warm welcome provided to the Cork Chapter members. Grateful thanks to our hosts on the day and also to Kevin Hurley who organised the event.

A mid-Summer visit to North Cork Saturday 17th July 2010

A mid-Summer visit to North Cork - Saturday, 17th July, 2010

On a somewhat dull Saturday morning in July members began to arrive at the entrance to St. Colman’s Church of Ireland, Farahy for a day of visits to a church, a site and two country houses.

St. Colman’s Farahy once threatened with demolition has been saved for posterity and is preserved as a sort of shrine to the memory of Elizabeth Bowen and who is buried in the churchyard. St. Colman’s is described ‘The church was built in 1721 and is a fine example of a very rare early 18th century Church of Ireland church. Attached to it is an early 18th century schoolhouse that is now used as the vestry’. Dean Robert McCarthy who is a trustee of the church gave us a short talk on the history of the building and its association with Elizabeth Bowen and he also gave a short reading from ‘Bowen’s Court’ published in 1942. On leaving the church we noted the memorial to Elizabeth Bowen carved by Ken Thompson and in the graveyard the tombstone which commemorates Elizabeth and her husband Alan Cameron who died in 1952. The ‘Cole-Bowen’ vault was pointed out and it would not have been noticed but for the knowledge of Dean Robert McCarthy. Of note in a corner of the graveyard was a memorial to those that perished in the ‘Great Famine’.

We now made our way to the site of the demolished ‘Bowen’s Court’ was a classic example of the tall and square 18th century Irish house and was built by Henry Bowen to the designs of Isaac Rothery in 1776. The house was three storeys over a basement and had a seven bay entrance façade with a three bay breakfront and a pedimented door case. The house was the home of Elizabeth Bowen (1899 – 1973) the novelist and it has been immortalised in her book ‘Bowen’s Court’ with its “rows of dark windows set in the light façade against dark trees has the startling, meaning and abstract clearness of a house in a print, a house in which something important occurred once, and seems from all evidence, to be occurring still”.

We strolled to the site in the ever increasing heat as the clouds peeled away to reveal a clear blue sky. Such optimism was soon repressed as we came upon mounds of broken cut stone a testament to the quality of the craftsmanship that had made such a fine house. The group stood and stared silently for a few moments reflection. It was sad to think that the house had only been demolished in 1961 having been sold by Elizabeth Bowen in 1959 due to the rising cost of upkeep. Elizabeth’s hope that the house ‘could be filled with the sound of children’ went unrealised as the ‘rates’ condemned the house to its fate shared by many other ‘big houses’ in the neighbourhood. At least ‘Bowen’s Court’ has been luckier than most other houses that have gone as the house is memorialised in the book of the same name. There is one surviving out-building that could be rescued with a little imagination and used as a museum to Elizabeth Bowen and the site itself and the remaining stone should be given special protection by the County Council.

A book well worth having is ‘Elizabeth Bowen Remembered - The Farahy Addresses’ Eibhear Walshe, Editor © 1998

Our thanks to Brenda Hennessy for giving us access to the Church and bringing us to the site of the house and looking after some members in need.

We departed the vanished house and followed in convoy led by Don McAuliffe to ‘Ballymacmoy House’ a Regency house built in 1818. It is the original home of the Wild Geese family - the Hennessys of Cognac. The compact estate is located at the edge of the village of Killavullen. It has three and a half miles of exclusive fishing rights along the river Blackwater and has a one acre walled garden. There is also a unique prehistoric private cave on the estate. Parking in the designated area the house was just visible through the trees. Walking the short distance it was immediately obvious that much work had been undertaken to restore the house and certainly the exterior had the feeling of newness. Our host Frederic Hennessy welcomed the group to his home and gave a short history of the evolution of the house and estate and its connection with the famous ‘Hennessy Cognac’ family. The house has been restored to its ‘Georgian’ elegance with its rows of ‘Wyatt’ windows and the newly lined faux ashlar. The interior was a revelation and the intimate scale of the rooms made the house elegant and comfortable. Memories came flooding back for some of those on the tour as it had been run as county house accommodation in the early 1970s by Eileen and Dan McAuliffe and tow of their children Jocelyn and Don both relived their memories of the house at the time which contributed to the enjoyment of all. The bowed former ball-room was now a dining room and having strolled about the house we were ready for lunch and we were not disappointed as there was plenty of food and seconds if needed, dessert, tea and coffee followed. All too soon it was time to depart and as we thanked Frederic for his hospitality we wished his enterprise well.

Once again the convoy made its way to the next house ‘Annes Grove’ which was built in the early eighteenth century. In 1900 Richard Grove Annesley (1879-1966) inherited the property and developed the renowned Robinsonian gardens. After his death in 1966, the task of maintaining the gardens fell upon his son, the late E. P. Grove Annesley, and they are now being conserved by his grandson, Patrick Grove Annesley. The ‘Woodward’ gate lodge has been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust. With such a big group we were divided into two with one group led by Jane Annesley and the other by her husband Patrick Annesley. The interior of the house is quite intimate and not what one would expect but at least it makes it more manageable. The house has been re-roofed recently and so hopefully preserves it for future generations to come. The porch a later addition to the house was erected sometime in the late nineteenth century and the steps were brought from Ballywalter House having been burnt in the troubles. Of course the ‘piece de resistance’ is the garden developed in the early twentieth century. ‘There are few gardens anywhere in Ireland where rare trees and shrubs are grown so successfully and in such a harmonious setting as the beautiful Robinsonian gardens of Annes Grove. Set on a sloping site around an elegant early eighteenth-century house overlooking the River Awbeg, the thirty acre garden is filled with thousands of thriving plants in a layout that merges unobtrusively into the landscape. In front of the house stretches a parkland with some fine trees; nearby is a walled garden with herbaceous borders, yew walk, rock garden and water garden; beyond is an extensive woodland garden noted for its rhododendrons; and down below in a wooded limestone gorge is a lovely river garden with an island, stony rapids, rustic bridges and a lush tapestry of green foliage’. (Terence Reeves-Smith Irish Gardens © 1994). Having enjoyed the house and garden we converged on a converted barn to enjoy some refreshments, the storm clouds were gathering and despite a few drops of rain the tour successfully concluded before the deluge began.

We extend our thanks to Geraldine O’Riordan for organising this enjoyable event and to our speakers and photographers.

Cork Chapter visit to Clonmel - Further thoughts

Cork Chapter visit to Clonmel

Cork Chapter visit to Marlfield House, Newtown Anner and Gurteen Castle

Members gathered on 19^th June at Marlfield House where we were given a tour of the house and grounds and were welcomed by Denis English. The house was built in the late 18^th century. It was burnt in the troubles and was subsequently rebuilt. The house has a superb Turner Conservatory.

Our next visit was to Newtown Anner. Nigel and Tessa Cathcart were so welcoming and enthusiastic about their estate. They gave us a tour of the house and grounds and introduced us to Michael, the gardener. The house is currently under restoration and is wonderfully atmospheric. The ‘Lady Osborne’ temple has been restored and the Cathcart’s hope to clear the lake in front of it. We admired the vast stable block with its recently renovated sash windows as well as the train tracks running through the yard which were used to transport wood to the house. The walled garden is extensive and a section of wall that had collapsed has also been wonderfully restored as has one of the old greenhouses and a lodge.

Following lunch at Befani’s in Clonmel, the group headed to Gurteen Le Poer Castle where we were warmly welcomed by Gottfried Helnwein and his family. It is incredible how light the castle is inside and absolutely perfect for Gottfriend’s stunning artworks which adorn many of the walls.

A combination of fascinating houses and stunning weather was a recipe for a wonderful trip.

Thanks to Kevin Hurley for organising this event.

Cork Chapter Visit to Castletownsend

The weather was stunning - warm sunshine and blue skies - yet it was only one aspect of a day that was perfect in so many ways! Cork Chapter members gathered at Shana Court, formerly the Custom House, in Castletownshend on Saturday 22nd May. There a warm welcome was received from the Orfeurs, who also provided refreshments. Tours of this fine 1745 house revealed many interesting features, particularly the Armada chairs.

A short stroll down the sunlit street was followed by a more strenuous climb up the 52 steps to St. Barrahane’s Church. It was well worth it! Not only was the view over the bay beautiful, but the church itself is a gem - and a well kept one at that. Inside are many historic memorials and items of interest, but our group paid particular attention to the Harry Clarke windows. Geraldine O’Riordan gave an excellent talk about Clarke and his artistic skills, helping us to appreciate the aesthetic and historical background to the St. Barrahane’s windows. Having viewed the graves of Edith Somerville and Violet Ross, members of the group strolled through the graveyard and down to sea level to visit Castle Townshend.

Rosemary Cochrane-Townshend welcomed the group and showed members around this historic house, the oldest part dating from about 1650. The long association with the Townshends was seen in the portraits and many other items which were linked to previous generations of the family. Although the temptation was to linger at the castle with its wonderful views over the bay, lunch beckoned at Mary Ann’s Restaurant. So it was back up the hill to the shaded outdoor eating area where a tasty lunch was enjoyed by all.

Our final destination was not too far away, just up the road to Drishane House. This attractive weather-slated house was built in the late eighteenth century by Thomas Somerville and our members were welcomed by the current owners, Tom Somerville and his family. A tour of the house, with its many beautiful features, was followed by a visit to the nearby little museum which contains images and artefacts relating to author Edith Somerville who lived at Drishane. Even her little dog was preserved! Then it was time to explore the grounds surrounding the house with their mix of lawns, orchard and shady woods, all set on the hillside overlooking the sea. It was heaven! Refreshments kindly provided by the Somervilles were the perfect ending to the perfect day!

Thanks to Maura Currivan who organised the visit and to the welcoming hosts who made the Cork Chapter visit to Castletownshend such a success.

A MIDSUMMER VISIT TO NORTH CORK

Irish Georgian Society
Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage

Blog: igscork.blogspot.com

CORK CHAPTER

Patron: Mrs. Myrtle Allen

A MIDSUMMER VISIT TO

ST. COLMAN’S Church of Ireland, FARAHY
The site of the demolished BOWEN’S COURT
BALLYMACMOY HOUSE &
ANNES GROVE HOUSE & GARDEN

Saturday, 17th July, 2010 @ 10.45am

10.45am Meet at St. Colman’s Church of Ireland Church, Farahy for registration etc.
11.15am Tour of St. Colman’s followed by visit to site of the demolished Bowen’s Court
1.00pm Lunch at Ballymacmoy House followed by a tour of the house, courtesy of Mr. Frederic Hennessy
3.00pm Tour of Annes Grove House & Garden, followed by refreshments, courtesy of Mrs. Jane Annesley

St. Colman's Church, Farahy is noteworthy for its association with the author Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973), who lived at Bowen's Court and is buried in the churchyard. The church was built in 1721 and is a fine example of a very rare early 18th century Church of Ireland church. Attached to it is an early 18th century schoolhouse that is now used as the vestry.

Bowen’s Court was a classic example of the tall and square 18th century Irish house and was built by Henry Bowen to the designs of Isaac Rothery in 1776. The house was three storeys over a basement and had a seven bay entrance façade with a three bay breakfront and a pedimented door case. The house was the home of Elizabeth Bowen (1899 – 1973) the novelist and it has been immortalised in her book ‘Bowen’s Court’ with its “rows of dark windows set in the light façade against dark trees has the startling, meaning and abstract clearness of a house in a print, a house in which something important occurred once, and seems. from all evidence, to be occurring still”. Due to rising costs the house had to be sold in 1959 and it was demolished in 1961 by its new owner.

Ballymacmoy House is a Regency house built in 1818. It is the original home of the Wild Geese family - the Hennessys of Cognac. The compact estate is located at the edge of the village of Killavullen. It has three and a half miles of exclusive fishing rights along the river Blackwater and has a one acre walled garden. There is also a unique prehistoric private cave on the estate.

Annes Grove House was built in the early eighteenth century. In 1900 Richard Grove Annesley (1879-1966) inherited the property and developed the renowned Robinsonian gardens. After his death in 1966, the task of maintaining the gardens fell upon his son, the late E. P. Grove Annesley, and they are now being conserved by his grandson, Patrick Grove Annesley. The ‘Woodward’ gate lodge has been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust.

Numbers are limited so advance booking is essential. Tickets cost €30 (members) €40 (non-members) including lunch and must be purchased in advance by completing the application form below. N.B. Full details: name, address, contact details & membership no. etc., of each person attending the tour must be provided.

Terms & Conditions: Participation at the discretion of the committee. No bookings accepted without payment. Attendees must provide own transport.

Enquiries to Geraldine O’Riordan. (Tel: 087-2755764 or email: geraldineoriordan@yahoo.ie)

AN EXCEPT FROM THE SPRING NEWSLETTER VOL. 2 2010

The colonnade at Russborough House, Co. Wicklow features on the cover of the Newsletter Vol. 2 Spring 2010.

The newsletter contains a number of interesting articles with excerpts from some following:

President’s Letter: Desmond Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin

The effects of the global economic downturn and the effect on the society is addressed in the President’s Letter, Desmond Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin states ‘The coming year will be trying for the Society as the full effects of the crunch will be felt and many aspects of our organisation will be affected. Sadly we have had to let AOIFE KAVANAGH, our Projects Administrator, go which will be a great loss as she has been key to the Society in many areas but particularly in the development of our website and of our new newsletter. We will certainly find ourselves worse off with her absence and are endeavouring to secure funding to consolidate the Society’s other activities. Any help at all in this would be hugely welcome, so please get in touch with our office in Dublin if you can be off assistance'.


News from Russborough: William Laffan

WMF Watch List recognises threat to Co. Wicklow Demesne.
Often described as ‘the most beautiful house in Ireland’, Russborough, in the care of the Alfred Beit Foundation, is emerging as a model of how an Irish demesne can adapt to reinvent itself. Over the last few years a wide variety of events and activities has brought the estate to life. However, the fragile state of its parkland has been a concern to the Beit Foundation, which has successful campaigned to have Russborough listed on the World Monuments Fund (WMF) Watch List.


IGS Architectural Conservation Award: Robert O’Byrne

The Irish Georgian Society is delighted to announce the introduction of a significant new awards scheme for architects involved in the conservation of the country’s historic buildings. Intended to promote greater appreciation of Ireland’s built heritage, the awards, the award’s first winners will be announced at a ceremony in late September. There will be two award categories, one for a conservation project and one for a non-CAD (computer aided design) drawing relating to a historic building. Applications for the awards must be received by the Society on or before July 31st next.
Further details and information on applications can be found on the Society’s website.


The Importance of Maintenance: Emmeline Henderson

A Stitch in Time saves Nine: The Importance of Maintenance
As the adages go ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ and ‘prevention is better than cure’. The same holds true for our historic houses, where regular inspection, maintenance and repair can safeguard their condition. Failure to identify problems early can produce major faults which may not be only very costly to rectify but may potentially cause the irreplaceable loss of our buildings’ historic fabric. So what should one consider when conducting maintenance inspection works?


Architectural Moments in the History of Limerick City: Judith Hill

If you live in Limerick, the city is big enough, busy enough, complex enough to fill your horizon to the extents that it is a shock how quickly, rising above it in an airplane, it resolves into a definable shape, a finite settlement in the landscape. It is a small city, but it has the diversity and functions and, despite its size, the scale of a city.


Planning Issues: Donough Cahill

Donaghcomper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

In Celbridge, permission has been granted by Kildare County Council for new roads and service works in Donaghcomper demesne; development proposals that are in addition to those currently being considered by An Bord Pleanála. These new infrastructural works are intended to facilitate the future development of Celbridge town to include new commercial and residential buildings. Whilst the society will be appealing the decision, should the large scale development works go ahead in the future, they would have a devastating impact on the character of Castletown, Celbridge town and on vistas from Kildrought House which has been restored to such an exemplary standard in recent years.


Events Round Up: Aoife Kavanagh

A review of events organised by Dublin and the various chapters including our own Cork Chapter featuring the West Cork trip, Collins Barracks and Ennismore House, and the Christmas Party.

LISMORE AND SALTERBRIDGE SATURDAY 24TH APRIL 2010 EVENT REPORT

THE TOWERS, BALLYSAGGARTMORE; BALLYIN GARDENS;
ST. CARTHAGE’S Church of Ireland CATHEDRAL; O'BRIEN CHOP HOUSE LISMORE;
SALTERBRIDGE HOUSE & GARDEN

Saturday, 24th April, 2010

Ballysaggartmore was the beginning of a packed itinerary with a visit to ‘The Towers’ just outside Lismore. The dull and grey sky yielded to bright blue just as we reached the gate lodges on our circuit. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the forest peppered with snippets of information on the dry bridge, the castellated bridge and a pair of identical gate-lodges which have survived to this day to amaze us all. Mr. Kiely was reviled as a landlord but his creations have outlived his appalling treatment of his tenants and the local community is to be commended for revealing such treasures where the norm would have seen them demolished and the stone-work used for road building.

A sharp right turn on the road brought us into the secret world of ‘Ballyin Gardens’ and we were educated as to the origin of the gardens and the treasures within by the owner of the gardens Mr. Peter Raven. This was an extra attraction on our programme and it certainly did not disappoint. With wonderful views over the river Blackwater and planting to match the wonderful scenery our brief visit was brought to a conclusion by the needs of the clock and our timetable. Another visit beckons sometime in the future when time is not at a premium.

St. Carthage’s Cathedral was brought to life with a wonderful historical description by Dermot Edwards who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the cathedral from its founding to its present incarnation. We learned that many of Ireland’s famous architects worked here including Sir William Robinson (who designed the Royal Hospital Kilmainham); Sir Richard Morrison rebuilt the cathedral and James & George Richard Pain designed the tower and spire. We also visited the little known library with its fine collection of volumes amassed over the years. We are very grateful to the Very Revd. Paul Draper, Dean of Lismore for the warm welcome and the refreshments that were much appreciated.

We had to be torn away from the cathedral for our lunch appointment but it was well worth it. Having enjoyed a restorative lunch and dessert at O’Brien Chop House we set off for our final destination with the grey clouds beginning to appear.

We journeyed down to Salterbridge House past the newly restored gate-lodge that has been resurrected from dereliction by the Irish Landmark Trust and available to anyone who wishes to stay in such an unusual and attractive lodge. Venturing up the avenue we were welcomed by Philip and Susie Wingfield who gave us a short history of the house and its evolution over the years. We toured the out-buildings, the gardens before arriving indoors for a tour of the ground floor reception rooms and the bedroom corridor upstairs including ‘the coldest room in Ireland’ as Philip explained. Having toured the house and grounds we were treated to a welcome cup of tea accompanied by home made scones with jam. All too soon it was time to leave Salterbridge, thank our hosts and thus brought our very enjoyable and varied day to a close. Thanks to our committee for helping out on the day and to Kevin Hurley for organising the event.

A VISIT TO SOME HOUSES IN AND AROUND CLONMEL

Irish Georgian Society
Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage

Blog: igscork.blogspot.com

CORK CHAPTER

Patron: Mrs. Myrtle Allen

A VISIT TO SOME HOUSES IN AND AROUND CLONMEL

MARLFIELD HOUSE, NEWTOWN ANNER HOUSE
& GURTEEN LE POER CASTLE

Saturday, 19th June, 2010 @ 09.30am

09.30am Meet at Marlfield House, Clonmel for Registration etc.
10.00am Tour of Marlfield House kindness of Denis English
11.30am Tour of Newtown Anner House and Grounds, Clonmel kindness of Nigel N. Cathcart
1.00pm Lunch at Befani's restaurant & The Main Guard, Sarsfield Street, Clonmel
2.30pm Depart for Gurteen Castle, Kilsheelan, Co. Waterford
3.00pm Tour of Gurteen Le Poer Castle kindness of Gottfried & Renate Helnwein
4.30pm Knocklofty House Hotel, Clonmel for refreshments (at own expense)

Marlfield is located just south of the old Cork to Clonmel road (between Ardfinnan and Clonmel) and is a striking feature on the landscape. Designed to the classical layout of Palladianism this house exhibits many notable features which contribute to its architectural significance. Burnt in 1923 by rebel forces, the main house was rebuilt in 1925, creating an excellent reproduction of late-eighteenth century features such as the timber sash windows. The impressive conservatory is a fine example of the work of Turner, with its ornate curving arches and radiating fanlights. The blind niches to the quadrants and the façades of the pavilions, with their entablatures and urns, display direct influences from Classical architecture, enlivening the appearance of the building. The grandeur of the house is further enhanced by the related outbuildings, fernery, garden entrance and tunnel, all contributing to the setting of the house. (N.I.A.H. Buildings of Ireland – Tipperary SR rec. no. 22112003)

Newtown Anner House (beyond Bulmer’s Plant) was formerly the home of the Duke of St Albans and the Osborne family, this imposing substantially intact country house preserves a skilfully and delicately carved doorway which gives the house an ornate focus. The house is notable for its wings which, unusually, are taller than the central block. The vertical thrust of the wings is emphasised by the diminishing windows. The setting is enhanced by the shell grotto, the well-preserved walled garden and the ruined temple, all of which add context and are fine examples of the activities of this significant former demesne. Now it’s the home of Mr. Nigel N. Cathcart who is restoring the building as funds permit. (N.I.A.H. Buildings of Ireland – Tipperary SR rec. no. 22207718)

Befani’s Mediterranean & Tapas Rrestaurant is run by Business Partners & Friends Adrian Ryan & Fulvio Bonfiglio. Adrian is our Head Chef, while Fulvio manages the restaurant. With their combined years of experience and knowledge of food they constantly strive to provide you with a varied and interesting menu, which is prepared using fresh, seasonal vegetables and organic produce when available.

The Main Guard which was built in 1675 as the courthouse and was converted into shops circa 1810. It has been recently restored to its original form with a loggia of open arches and the sandstone columns are once again a feature of the streetscape. (This visitor attraction is run by the OPW and can be visited free of charge)

Gurteen Castle is a monumental Elizabethan Revival house of national importance, which retains its original form and massing together with important salient features and materials, both to the exterior and to the interior. Built to designs prepared by Samuel Ussher Roberts (1813 - 1892) for Edmond, first Count de la Poer (n. d.), the architectural quality of the house is enhanced by the complex arrangement of gables, towers and turrets, all of which enliven the skyline. The construction in limestone ashlar attests to high quality stone work, which is particularly evident in the fine detailing throughout. A group of gateways to the grounds enhances the artistic design quality of the site, while a garden turret contributes to ornamental quality of the battlemented enclosure, itself augmenting the medieval tone of the grounds. The house is of additional importance in the locality on account of its associations with the de la Poer family. The house is now the Irish home of Gottfried and Renate Helnwein. (N.I.A.H. Buildings of Ireland - Waterford rec. no. 22900208) (www.gottfriedhelnwein.ie)

Knocklfoty House (Hotel) is a former country house served as the seat of the Donoughmores until the mid-1980s. The architectural design draws on the influences of classical architecture in its detailing. This is exhibited in its ornate entrance front, which is adorned with features such as the broken pediments, Doric pilasters, wreathes and busts. The retention of features such as the timber sash windows enhance the buildings appearance, while the dome roof over the central door case is a striking feature which adds further to the architectural significance of the building. This former country house forms part of an interesting group of demesne related structures with the servants quarters, outbuildings, gate lodges, estate workers' houses and bridge. (N.I.A.H. Buildings of Ireland – Tipperary SR rec. no. 22208216) (www.knockloftyhousehotel.com)

Numbers are limited so advance booking is essential. Tickets cost €50 (members) €60 (non-members) including lunch and must be purchased in advance by completing the application form below.

N.B. Full details: name, address, contact details & membership no. etc., of all persons attending the tour must be provided.

Terms & Conditions: No attendance without pre-booking. Participation at the discretion of the committee. No bookings accepted without payment. Attendees must provide own transport.


Enquiries to corkigs@gmail.com or Mobile: 087-9266826

A VISIT TO CASTLETOWNSHEND - THE SOMERVILLE & ROSS TOUR

Irish Georgian Society

Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage

Blog: igscork.blogspot.com

CORK CHAPTER

Patron: Mrs. Myrtle Allen

A VISIT TO CASTLETOWNSHEND
(THE SOMERVILLE & ROSS TOUR)

THE CUSTOM HOUSE, ST. BARRAHANE’S Church of Ireland
CASTLE TOWNSHEND & DRISHANE HOUSE

Saturday, 22nd May, 2010 @ 10.00am

10.00am Meet at Shana Court formerly the Custom House for registration etc.
10.30am Tour of Shana Court, followed by refreshments courtesy of Mrs. Geraldine Orfeur
11.15am Tour of St. Barrahane’s Church, courtesy of the Churchwarden, Mr. Robert Salter-Townshend
12.15pm Tour of Castle Townshend and grounds, courtesy of Mrs. Anne Cochrane-Townshend
1.15pm Lunch at Mary Ann’s Bar & Restaurant
2.30pm Tour of Drishane House, followed by refreshments, courtesy of Mr. Tom Somerville

The Custom House is a fine Georgian building dating from 1745 retaining many original features. It is now known as ‘Shana Court’ and is available for short-term lettings.

St. Barrahane’s Church of Ireland dates from 1826 and was built with stone brought from Horse Island. It contains three ‘Harry Clarke’ windows and is intimately associated with Edith Somerville & Violet Martin of Somerville & Ross fame who are buried in the adjoining church yard.

Castle Townshend has been the seat of the Townshend family for generations with the oldest part dating from circa 1650. The towers of the present castle were constructed from the remains of the ruined castle. The Cochrane-Townshend descends from the original Townshend family.

Mary Ann’s Bar & Restaurant is a quaint old fashioned Irish Pub that is one of the finest gourmet restaurants in Ireland. It has three Egon Ronay awards to show for it! Relatively unchanged in 150 years, retaining the old fashioned feel of the place. The bar is fully stocked with draught and bottled beers and spirits. Our large wine list encompasses wine regions throughout the World. Fergus and Trish O’Mahony have always believed in trading locally. The majority of suppliers are based within a five to ten mile radius of Mary Ann's, who only buy the best of Irish produce.

Drishane House is described as “A two storey house of 1849 built onto the front of an earlier house extending round three sides of a courtyard, enclosed on the fourth by a screen wall with an arch”. It was the family home of Edith Somerville. (Mark Bence-Jones, A Guide to Irish Country Houses © 1988)

Numbers are limited so advance booking is essential. Tickets cost €50 (members) €60 (non-members) including lunch and must be purchased in advance by completing the application form below. N.B. Full details: name, address, contact details & membership no. etc., of all persons attending the tour must be provided.

Terms & Conditions: No attendance without pre-booking. The committee reserve the right to refuse admission to any event. No bookings accepted without payment. Attendees must provide own transport

Enquiries to corkigs@gmail.com or Mobile: 087-9266826

VOLUME XII OF THE IRISH ARCHITECTURAL AND DECORATIVE STUDIES JOURNAL 2009

Foreword by The Knight of Glin

This, the twelfth volume of the Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies, was launched at the No. 1 Pery Square hotel in Limerick, next door to the Georgian house preserved by the Limerick Civic Trust. In this context, it is sad to note the recent death of Denis Leonard who did so much to save this fine example of domestic architecture, and, indeed, so much else in the city of Limerick. His enthusiasm and commitment will be long remembered.

As usual, there is great variety to the contents of the Journal, which reflects its deliberately wide scope, from architecture, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts to patronage, travel and history of demesnes. As often, one of the themes running through the articles is, perhaps surprisingly, a fluid tale of migration – of individuals, styles and motifs. We have the sad story of a Mayo artist and an American poet on Capri, the monument in Florence to the Italian architect of Castletown; the French goldsmiths of Dublin, and the influence of the antiquities of Asia Minor and Iberia on Ireland. Highly appropriate, given our launch in the city, is the piece by Judith Hill on Plassey House just outside Limerick, which commemorates and Indian battle and is now owned by the University of Limerick.

This is the last of the issues to be edited by William Laffan, to whom I, and the Society, are very much indebted. I am very pleased to announce that Conor Lucey has agreed to take over as editor. Dr. Lucey, who lectures at University College Dublin and at National College of Art & Design, was awarded the Desmond Guinness scholarship in 2005, and has already served on the editorial board of the Journal. His study of Michael Stapleton, published by the Churchill House Press, was acclaimed by my old friend John Harris – praise indeed! Dr. Lucey is founding editor of the new journal Artefact, as is contributing to the new Art and Architecture of Ireland, Vol. IV (Royal Irish Academey) as well as other forthcoming publications. We are delighted that a young scholar of his calibre has agreed to take over the reins.

Several forthcoming publications and events might be flagged, in particular two collections of essays. One, The Eighteenth Century Dublin Town House, is edited by Christine Casey, who is organising a seminar on stuccowork in Trinity College Dublin in April 2010. In addition, Lynda Mulvin is editing a volume on neoclassicism, which will be of great interest to members of the society. In early summer, the remarkable photographs by Patrick Prendergast of Irish country house interiors will be on show at the Irish Architectural Archive in Merrion Square. Twenty years ago, at the behest of Lord Belmore, Prendergast travelled around Ireland photographing houses still in the possession of the families of the builders. This resulted in an archive of some 2,000 intimate ‘behind the scenes’ shots of the Irish Big House, a selection of which will be on show. Having seen these photographs, I know that they will be a revelation to all those interested in the topic.

In difficult economic times, which the Society feels acutely, it is pleasing to welcome the happy diversion that the erudite contents of this Journal offer. However, the scholarship that the Journal embodies also has a very serious purpose which goes to the heart of the Society. The understanding of Ireland’s past is manifested in her art, architecture and material culture must permeate our activities and inform our decision making processes. Despite its manifest importance, it is proving increasingly difficult to attract funding for this Journal, though I am extremely grateful to the Esmé Mitchell Trust and the late Sir Alfred Beit’s Apollo Foundation for very welcome grants. I ask that members and supporters to all that you can to help this invaluable publication by subscribing and encouraging others to do so.

Contents:

Frederick O’Dwyer:- Robert West, Christopher Myers and St. James’s church, Whitehaven

Philip McEvansoneya:- New Light on he artistic and personal aspects of the second version of ‘The Last Circuit of the Pilgrims at Clonmacnoise’ by George Petrie

Livia Hurley:- Wiliam Burton Conyngham’s antiquarian tour of the Iberian Peninsula, 1883-84

Terence Dooley:- Castle Hyde and the Great Famine, 1845-51

Brendan Rooney:- The painter and the poet: Michael George Brennan (1839-71) and Laura Catherine Redden (1839-1923)

Judith Hill:- The several incarnations of Plassey: Plassey House, University of Limerick

Lynda Mulvin:- Charles Robert Cockrell’s encounter with Ireland: drawings, observations and buildings

Jessica Cunningham:- Dublin’s Hugenot goldsmiths, 1690-1750: assimilation and divergence

Tom Dunne:- Sensibility and the sublime in the storm paintings of Thomas Roberts (1748-77)

Michael McCarthy:- The monument to Alessandro Galilei in S. Croce in Florence, 1737

WINNER OF THE IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY RAFFLE 2009

Old Connaught House

Old Connaught House, Shankill, Co. Dublin is a plain eighteenth century house that was embellished during Victorian times with the addition of a single storey portico consisting of four pairs of Ionic columns and a conservatory at one end of the house since removed. It was a property of the Gore family and subsequently the Plunket family. Sir Walter Scott visited the house in 1825 and stayed there for a time. Some eighteenth century interior features remain and the building has of late been converted into several apartments. Some of the estate features are currently being restored.

More information on Old Connaught House can be had from the Peter Pearson's book "Between the Mountains and the Sea" a revised edition of which was published in 2007 and that has attracted wide praise.

The painting is a wonderful representation of the house and was done by Geraldine O'Riordan for the winner of the Irish Georgian Society Reffle 2009. I am sure that the winner is delighted with his painting and the Cork Chapter of the society is very grateful to Geraldine for her imagination in coming up with the concept, designing the raffle tickets and promoting the idea as a fundraiser for the society.

Geraldine's online portfolio can be viewed on geraldineoriordan.blogs.com

EVENTS REPORT END OF YEAR 2010

West Cork Saturday 12th September 2009

The Cork Chapter organised a memorable trip to West Cork on Saturday, 12th September 2009. St Fachtna's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Rosscarbery, was first on our itinerary. We were welcomed by the Dean of St Fachtna's, The Very Revd. Christopher Peters. The walls of the cathedral are adorned by important family memorials as well as an early 18th century Royal Coat of Arms of George II. Dean Peters traced the cathedral's illustrious origins in a lively and compelling fashion, from the arrival of St Fachtna to the building's recent restoration. We then headed for Bantry Bay and to the outer hall of Bantry House, where we were welcomed by Brigitte, wife of the owner of the house, Egerton Shelswell-White. We admired the furniture and family portraits that grace the fine suite of rooms in the house. Members enjoyed lunch in the Loggia and savoured the superb views of the bay. Finally, we arrived on the peninsula of Castletownbere, to Dunboy Castle, with its "skyline of steep roofs, tall chimneys and a sensational hall". We then repaired to the Mill Cove Gallery for some refreshments before the long journey home. Our grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Hurley who organised this event.

Ennismore & Collins Barracks Friday 30th October 2009

Early on a very wet Friday morning (30th October), a group of members met at Ennismore in the north eastern suburbs of Cork City. Dr. Alicia St. Leger our Hon. Secretary provided a brief history of the house. It was associated with the Leycester family and is now St. Dominic’s Retreat Centre. Following refreshments, the group moved on to Collins Barracks, where we were greeted by the curators, Mr. Jim Horgan and Mr. Paddy Cremin who led us to the nearby garrison church with stained glass windows by Evie Hone. Thanks to Geraldine O’Riordan who organised the outing.

Christmas Party at the Customs House Saturday 28th November 2009

The Christmas Party was held in the Port of Cork (formerly Cork Harbour Commissioners) offices at the Customs House. Dr. Alicia St. Leger outlined the history of customs houses in Cork, particularly the present attractive building which opened in 1818. The group admired the wonderful elegance of the Boardroom with its stunning plasterwork, designed in 1906 which compliments perfectly the original part of the building which was designed by Abraham Hargraves. Following a short tour, Catherine Fitzmaurice and Kevin Hurley presented an illustrated review of some of the Cork Chapter’s successful activities in 2009. John Holohan gave a talk on current developments and future plans and the morning concluded with refreshments, co-ordinated by Maura Currivan and including delicious mince pies brought by Myrtle Allen. Thanks are due to Geraldine O’Riordan who organised the event.

BOOKS ON IRISH ARCHITECTURE

Collecting books on Irish Architecture – A work in progress: Kevin Hurley

‘Ireland Observed’ © 1970, 1980 was the first book on Irish buildings that I ever bought and this book sent me on my journey of discovery of Irish Architecture. It was a joint publication by Maurice Craig and the Knight of Glin both of whom are well know in the field of architecture and art respectively.

A book shop that did well from my early purchases was Wm. Egan & Sons (now Jack n’Jones/Vero Moda) of St. Patrick Street, Cork and was source of many of my purchases in my early days of collecting. The first book purchase in Egan’s was ‘The Houses of Ireland’ © 1975 by Brian DeBreffny & George Mott which is a very good overview of the development of the Irish house from earliest times to the early twentieth century.

I soon followed this up with ‘Irish Houses & Castles’ © 1971, 1980 by Desmond Guinness & William Ryan a lavishly illustrated volume of houses and their collections many of which are now dispersed. Uniquely it also shows the floor plans of the buildings which is very useful indeed though has never been repeated in later similar books. This volume contains very good images of Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow that was destroyed by fire in 1974. Egan’s was doing well with all my purchases and another acquisition was ‘Irish Art & Architecture’ © 1978 by Peter Harbison, Homan Potterton & Jeananne Sheehy which presents surveys on art, architecture and archaeological remains from earliest times right through to the present time. Subsequent publications included ‘Irish Castles’ and ‘Irish Churches & Abbeys’ and all these volumes were published by Thames & Hudson.

The subject of the Irish Country Houses is addressed specifically in one of the finest endeavours in the field of Irish Architecture especially ‘Country Houses’ with the first volume of a projected multi-volume series covering Ireland and the United Kingdom ‘Burke’s Guide to Country Houses – Volume I Ireland’ © 1978 by Mark Bence-Jones was the first volume and probably the best. My first meeting with this volume was seeing it in the window of Egan’s and it was open with the illustration of the long demolished baroque mansion house “Summerhill House”, Co. Meath. This was certainly a revelation as I had never heard of this house and soon I made my way upstairs to the bookshop on the first-floor, oh what excitement! This was a volume I certainly had to have no matter what the cost. It featured houses long demolished or others I had never heard of and was full of atmospheric photographs of people, cars and other forms of transport long vanished. This remains one of my favourite books and I still dip into it every now and then when researching country houses or planning visits. It has a wonderful introduction to the development of the country house architecture and an excellent bibliography. This led me to join the ‘Irish Georgian Society’ and discover articles about country house architecture in ‘Country Life’ magazine. Certainly it was one of those seminal books and spurred my further research into the field of the Irish Country House.

Another series covering Irish Architecture is the Pevsner series the ‘Buildings of Ireland’ which saw the first volume ‘North West Ulster’ © 1979 by Alaistair Rowan being followed by ‘North Leinster’ © 1995 and ‘Dublin’ © 2005 being the current volume. More volumes are in preparation and I hope that the projected nine volumes will be published before I am cold in my grave.

Country Houses also feature in the series by the Ballinakella Press and to date volumes covering County Clare, Kerry, North Cork and Wexford have been published with more planned in the future.

Maurice Craig has a wonderful writing style and he could make any subject interesting, when it comes to architecture it is hard to beat ‘Classic Irish Houses of The Middle Size’ that was recently reprinted in paperback. Another Craig book that has been reprinted many times is ‘Dublin 1660-1860’ and just as interesting as one would expect and for a chronological study of Irish architecture then there is no better than ‘The Architecture of Ireland from Earliest times to 1880’. Another book on Dublin buildings is ‘Georgian Dublin’ by Desmond Guinness. Victorian architecture which was often dismissed without a second thought is brought to life by Jeremy Williams through his research, writing and lively drawings in his book ‘Architecture in Ireland 1837-1921’ which was published in 1994 and it would be great to have an updated version at some stage.

The bulletin of the Irish Georgian Society also featured articles on Irish Art and Architecture and its successor ‘Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies’. Of course the ‘Irish Arts Review’ always has an interesting article on Irish architecture historical or contemporary.

The County Archaeological Series published by the OPW usually stops at the end of the seventeenth century and so doesn’t cover country houses. However, in the case of the County Cork volumes they include a representative sample of post 1700 buildings such as ‘country houses, market houses and churches.

Lately the NIAH (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) guides that cover nearly all the country and these are attractive and inexpensive guides to the architecture of each county from about the seventeenth century to the present. It is a representative survey that has a very good online record of every building surveyed and this can be accessed by the unique record number of every building. The only problem is that if you don’t know the record number or the town-land you have to trawl through the entire listing of the county to find the building you are interested in.

If I was given a choice to take one book to a desert island I would find it very hard to decide between my two favourite books ‘A Guide to Irish Country Houses’ (Bence-Jones) and ‘Classic Irish Houses of the Middle Size’ (Craig).

That’s all folks, more thoughts later………….

CORK CHAPTER PAST EVENTS LISTING

2003
Dunkettle House

2004
Kilcooley Abbey Co. Tipperary
Crosshaven House, Gortgrenane House (ruin) and Knocknamanagh House
Ardigeen Lawn Tennis Club Timoleague and Church of Ireland
Knight of Glin lecture 'Collecting Irish Paintings' Crawford Gallery

2005
Islanmore House, Kilpeacon House Co. Limerick
Traditional Building Skills Exhibition and Walking Tours
Capoquin House, Tourin House and Dromana Co. Waterford
Honan Chapel, The Glucksman and The Quad University College Cork

2006
Skiddy’s Almshouses, Cork Civic Trust House and 50 Pope’s Quay
Skibbereen Heritage Centre, Famine Pits and Hollybrook House
Carker, Laurentinum, Springfort Hall (Lunch), Doneraile Court and Creagh Castle

2007
Youghal and Ballynatray House
National AGM Cork Old Waterworks Lee Road
New CIT Naval College and Haulbowline Naval Base

2008
Bride Park Cottages
Riverstown House, Ballyvolane (Lunch), Castlelyons Mausoleum and Kilshannig House
Blarney House
The Irish Georgian Society A Celebration - Book Launch at Crawford Gallery
Ringmahon House and St. Michaels Church of Ireland Blackrock

2009
Borris House and the former Bishop’s Palace Kilkenny for Journal Launch
Screening of Elizabeth Bowen’s ‘Last September’ at Killinardrish House
Tarbert House, Glin Castle (Lunch) and Churchill House, Co. Kerry
St. Peters Church of Ireland, Castle Bernard (Ruin) and Castle Farm
Rosscarbery Church of Ireland, Bantry House (Lunch) and Dunboy Castle
Collins Barracks and Ennismore House
Christmas Party at the Customs House

2010
Screening of Barry Lyndon at Kilbrogan House Bandon

FILM SCREENING OF STANLEY KUBRICK'S 'BARRY LYNDON'

On Sunday 28th February 2010 a film screening of Barry Lyndon was hosted at Kilbrogan House which is a fine early nineteenth century Georgian house circa 1818, situated in Bandon and owned by our committee member Catherine FitzMaurice to whom we are grateful for both organising and hosting the event. Cork Chapter member Kevin Hurley presented a short biography of W.M. Thackeray and an overview of the novel and how the film differs from it. Cork Chapter members brought cakes and sandwiches for those attending to enjoy during the intermission. Catherine and her brother David oversaw the transformation of their home to a cinema in order to accommodate the forty or so viewers and David kept the members supplied with tea and coffee ably assisted by members of the Cork Chapter committee.

W.M. Thackeray (1811-1863) a novelist and journalist was born in Calcutta and in 1817he was sent to England to be educated as a gentleman. From Charterhouse school, he was sent to Cambridge in 1829. He married imprudently and tragically his wife went mad, leaving him to care for her and his two daughters. Barry Lyndon was first published in 1844. In later years he suffered from ill-health and he died suddenly in December 1863. His wife Isabella Shawe-Creagh of Doneraile survived him by thirty one years and died in 1894.

Although Barry Lyndon was released in 1975 it was only a modest commercial success at the time, and had a mixed critical reception, in recent years it has come to be regarded not only as one of Stanley Kubrick's finest films, but also as a classic of world cinema. Much of Barry Lyndon was filmed in Ireland at Huntingdon Castle, Kells Priory, Cahir Castle; Waterford Castle grounds, the hall and saloon of Powerscourt Co. Wicklow (now destroyed) and Dublin Castle. The second half of the film moved to England and locations include: Blenheim; Castle Howard; Dunrobin Castle; Wilton (Double cube room) Stourhead gardens; Corsham Court and Dodington Park.

THE NOVEL ‘Barry Lyndon’

The novel was first serialized as The Luck of Barry Lyndon in Frazer’s Magazine in 1844 and subsequently revised and reprinted in two volumes as The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon in 1852. It is set in the eighteenth century and presents itself as the autobiography of an Irish adventurer whose boastful accounts of his exploits serve only to reveal the extent of his villainy. Redmond Barry of Brady’s Town fights a duel and escapes to Dublin, where he changes his name to Barry Redmond, lives a fast life and falls into debt (as had happened Thackeray while at Cambridge).

He enlists as a soldier and fights on both sides in the Seven Years War, eventually meeting up with his lost uncle, Cornelius Barry, who as the Chevalier de Balibari joins with Barry in a career of card-sharpening. After various adventures abroad, he lays siege to a wealthy widow, the Countess of Lyndon. He changes his name to Barry Lyndon and embarks on a career of extravagance, ill-treating his wife, bullying his step-son and ruining a fine family fortune. When his son Bryan is killed in a riding accident, his luck changes, and the family regains control of the estate and Barry is forced to live abroad on a pension. With the death of Lady Lyndon (his pension is cancelled) and he becomes penniless, ends his life in the Fleet prison tended by his faithful mother.


BARRY LYNDON THE FILM (differs from the novel)

I. By What Means Redmond Barry Acquired the Style and Title of Barry Lyndon.

In the opening scene, set in 1750s Ireland, the father of Irishman Redmond Barry (Ryan O'Neal) is killed in a duel over the sale of some horses. This detail is related by the film's narrator, who comments ironically on the events that transpire. The widow, disdaining offers of marriage, devotes herself to the raising of her son.

Location: Huntingdon Castle & Waterford Castle
When Barry is a young man, he falls in love with his cousin, Nora Brady. She likes him well enough to seduce him, but when the well-off English Captain John Quin appears on the scene, the poverty-stricken Barry is quickly dropped. She and her whole family are set on relieving their financial difficulties with an advantageous marriage. Barry refuses to accept the situation and (seemingly) kills Quin in a duel.

Location: Kells Priory
Fleeing the law, Barry travels towards Dublin, but is robbed by a famous highwayman, Captain Feeney, and his son Seamus, leaving Barry little choice but to join the British army. Later, he is reunited with a family friend, Captain Grogan, who informs him that the duel was faked. Barry's pistol was not loaded with a real bullet, but one made with tow, and Quin had only fainted with fear.It was staged so as to get him out of the way, so the cowardly Quin could be coaxed into marrying Nora, thereby securing the family's financial situation.

Location: Cahir Castle & Powerscourt House, The Entrance Hall
Barry's regiment is sent to fight in the Seven Years' War in Europe. During one skirmish, Grogan is fatally wounded, and Barry deserts at the first opportunity, impersonating a courier. He spends a few pleasant days with Lischen, a lonely woman whose husband is away fighting. When he resumes his journey, he encounters a Prussian captain, Potzdorf, who sees through his disguise. Given the choice of joining the Prussian army or being taken for a deserter, Barry enlists in his second army. During one battle, he saves Potzdorf's life.

Location: Powerscourt House, The Saloon & Dublin Castle, Drawing Room;
Dodington Park (UK)
After the war ends in 1763, Barry is employed by the Prussian Minister of Police, Potzdorf's uncle. It is arranged for him to become the servant of the Chevalier de Balibari (Patrick Magee), a professional gambler. The Prussians suspect that he is a spy and Barry is assigned to try to determine if he is. However, when Barry finds out the chevalier is a fellow Irishman, he confesses all to him and they become confederates.

Location: Dublin Castle, Drawing Room
Barry assists the chevalier in cheating at card games, but when the Prince of Tübingen suspects the truth after losing a large sum, they are unceremoniously expelled from Prussia. They wander from place to place, cheating the nobles. Barry proves to be very useful; when a loser refuses to pay his debts, Barry's excellent swordsmanship convinces him otherwise.

Location: Powerscourt House, The Saloon
Hardened by his experiences, Barry decides to better himself by marrying well. During the course of his travels, he encounters the beautiful and wealthy Countess of Lyndon (Marisa Berenson). Barry has little difficulty seducing her, and she soon falls in love. Shortly thereafter, her sickly husband, Sir Charles Lyndon, dies.

II. Containing an Account of the Misfortunes and Disasters Which Befell Barry Lyndon.

The following year (1773), Lady Lyndon and Barry are married. Young Lord Bullingdon, Lyndon's son by Sir Charles, hates Barry from the beginning, knowing that Barry is not in love with his mother. The marriage is not a happy one, although they welcome a new son, Bryan Patrick. Barry enjoys himself and is unfaithful to his wife while keeping her in dull seclusion.

Barry brings his mother over from Ireland to live with him. She warns her son that his position is precarious. If Lady Lyndon were to die, all her wealth would go to her son Lord Bullingdon. Barry would be left penniless. Barry's mother advises him to obtain a noble title to protect himself. He cultivates the acquaintance of the influential Lord Wendover with this goal in mind, spending much money to grease his way. All this effort is wasted however.

One day, Lord Bullingdon announces his hatred of his stepfather and is beaten by Barry in front of many important guests. Bullingdon leaves the family estate after this, but Barry's public cruelty loses him all the powerful friends he has worked so hard to make and he is shunned socially.

As badly as he has treated his stepson, Barry proves to be a doting father to Bryan. However, when he is eight, the boy is thrown from a horse and soon dies. The grief-stricken Barry turns to drink, while Lady Lyndon seeks solace in religion, assisted by the Reverend Samuel Runt first to Lord Bullingdon and then to Bryan. Barry's mother dismisses Reverend Runt partly because they no longer need a tutor, partly for what she says is fear that his influence is making Lady Lyndon worse. Plunging even deeper into grief, she attempts suicide. Upon hearing of this, Lord Bullingdon returns and challenges Barry to a duel.

A coin flip gives Bullingdon the privilege of shooting first, but his pistol misfires. Barry magnanimously fires into the ground, but Bullingdon refuses to let the duel end there. He fires again, this time hitting Barry in the leg, which has to be amputated at the knee. While Barry is recovering, Bullingdon takes control of the estate. He offers his stepfather an annuity of 500 guineas if he leaves England; otherwise, with his credit exhausted his creditors will see to it that he is put in jail.

Wounded in spirit and body, Barry accepts. He goes first to Ireland with his mother, then to the European continent to resume his former profession of gambler, though without his former success. He never sees Lady Lyndon again. The final scene (set in 1789) shows the middle-aged Lady Lyndon signing Barry's annuity cheque.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2010

Irish Georgian Society
Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage

Blog: igscork.blogspot.com

CORK CHAPTER

Patron: Mrs. Myrtle Allen

PRESENTS

VISITS TO:
LISMORE AND SALTERBRIDGE HOUSE SATURDAY APRIL 24th 2010
CASTLETOWNSHEND SATURDAY MAY 22nd 2010
SOUTH TIPPERARY SATURDAY JUNE 19th 2010

Further details will be published in due course

Enquiries to corkigs@gmail.com or Mobile: 087-9266826

LISMORE AND SALTERBRIDGE HOUSE

Irish Georgian Society
Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage

Blog: igscork.blogspot.com

CORK CHAPTER

Patron: Mrs. Myrtle Allen

PRESENTS

A VISIT TO

THE TOWERS, BALLYSAGGARTMORE
ST. CARTHAGE’S Church of Ireland CATHEDRAL, LISMORE
SALTERBRIDGE HOUSE &GARDEN

Saturday, 24th April, 2010 @ 09.45am

09.45am Meet at the car park of The Towers, Ballysaggartmore, (between Ballyduff & Lismore).
10.00am Tour of The Towers, (weather permitting)
11.30am Tour of St. Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore by The Very Revd. Paul Draper, Dean of Lismore
1.00pm Lunch at O’Brien Chop House, Lismore
2.30pm Depart for Salterbridge House, Cappoquin
3.00pm Tour of Salterbridge House & Garden. Refreshments will be served.

The Towers: “The most extraordinary example in Ireland of a prelude to a castle that was never built…consisting of a castellated bridge and a pair of identical crenellated lodges”. (Jeremy Williams, The Architecture of Ireland © 1994.) This tour is weather permitting, will involve some walking and a good pair of practical shoes is required for this event.

St. Carthage’s Church of Ireland Cathedral “is an elaborate, monumental cathedral. The present edifice is the result of numerous phases of building and reconstruction, involving the work of a number of Ireland's pre-eminent architects, including William Robinson, Sir Richard Morrison, and James & George Richard Pain. A number of fittings, including the stained glass panels (designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones) and executed by William Morris are of particular artistic design”. (N.I.A.H., An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of Co. Waterford © 2004)

O’Brien Chop House: The O’Brien name stands out proudly in relief above the shop-front of this old bar in the charming heritage town of Lismore, and it is wonderful to see it back in commercial action again – this time in the caring hands of Justin and Jenny Green, of nearby Ballyvolane House. Homemade and local food is at the heart of this enterprise and it’s a fair bet that the legendary butcher Michael McGrath along the street (who also supplies meats to Ballyvolane) was a major source of inspiration for bringing to West Waterford the idea of London’s old chop houses - which sold various chops, cutlets and steaks on the bone.

Salterbridge House is described as “A two storey house of 1849 built onto the front of an earlier house extending round three sides of a courtyard, enclosed on the fourth by a screen wall with an arch. The 1849 front consists of a 3 bay projecting centre, with a parapet and plain pilasters between the bays; and two storey single bay wings with eaved roofs and single-storey three sided bows”. (Mark Bence-Jones, A Guide to Irish Country Houses © 1988)

The Gate Lodge is a classically proportioned pavilion gate-lodge, which was built c.1849 by the Chearnly family, who owned the estate from the mid 18th Century until the 1950s. The lodge, though obviously in habitation in the 1930s when the Glanville family lived there, was derelict by the 1950s. Its function, like all gate-lodges, was to indicate to the passer-by the good standing and taste of the original owner, and to display some of the features of the architect's work, re-interpreted from the big house. It has been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust. See irishlandmark.com

Numbers are limited so advance booking is essential. Tickets cost €40 (members) €50 (non-members) including lunch and must be purchased in advance by completing the application form below. N.B. Full details: name, address, contact details & membership no. etc., of all persons attending the tour must be provided.

Terms & Conditions: The committee reserve the right to refuse admission to any event. No bookings accepted without payment. Attendees must provide own transport

Organised by: Kevin Hurley

Enquiries to corkigs@gmail.com or Mobile: 087-9266826