Posted on Wednesday 21st December 2016
Admiring some of the contents of the Drawing Room, Newbridge House, Co Dublin
A group of 34 of us enjoyed a memorable nine day fund-raising study-visit to the country houses and collections of Ireland in September 2016. Staying at Carton Houe near Dublin we had privileged access to a number of famous and not-so-famous public and private houses where we were welcmed with much enthusiam. Among the highlights were Castletown where we admired the contininuing resoration campaign, Maynooth for its spectacular Chapel and Library, Beaulieu for its magificent carvings, Russborough for the superb Beit collectons, and Killadoon for its untouched early 19th century interiors. The owners of Hamwood, Newbridge and Abbeyleix had returned from England especially to host our visits including providing us with delicious lunches and teas. We moved on to Clonmel in Co Tipperary which was our base for visiting Curraghmore, with its famous shell house, Caihr and its delightful cottage orne, Kilkenny Castle and Lismore Castle with its remarkable early 17th century gardens. Returning to Dublin we had an exhaustive tour of Trinity College and its Library and a chance to see the museums and galleries, as well as visits to the jewel-like Casino at Marino and the splndours of Malahide Castle. We returned tired but deligthed with this unique opportunity to have seen some of the treasures of the Emerald Isle.
A full report will appear on the Chippendale Society website http://thechippendalesociety.co.uk/news