Historical background:

Built c. 1830 for Richard St. George, Kilrush House is a rare example of an Irish Regency villa that retains much of its original decoration and contents. The St. George family has pursued an on-going programme of works to safeguard the future of the house and these have been assisted by grants awarded by the IGS. In 2022, through the support of its London Chapter the Society supported a project to repair a roof light and rotunda surmounting the central staircase, while in 2004 a grant was awarded to assist roof repair works.

Architectural description:

The house is a three-bay, two-storey house over a part-raised basement. The west and rear elevations possess five bays while a two-storey, three-bay over basement wing is on the east of the house. The hipped slate roof is on a quadrangle plan (pitched to wing) and also has clay ridge tiles, cut-limestone copings, and cast-iron rainwater goods as well as eaves with rendered bands. The exterior walls are of rubble limestone and rendered, with a chamfered stringcourse separating the basement from the ground floor. Square-headed window openings within elliptical-headed recesses are to the ground floor with six-over-six timber sash windows, while the basement and first floors possess timber sash windows of three-over-six configuration. The main entrance is set within a round-headed door opening. Engaged Doric columns flank a timber panelled door with outer pilasters supporting a frieze carved with swags and a carved cornice.

Main image by Historic Houses of Ireland