17.11.2020, 18:30 P.M.

This talk is the seventh in the Irish Country House Architecture nine week on-line lecture series presented by the Irish Georgian Society, in association with the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates (CSHIHE), University of Maynooth.

Classical Regency County House (Townley Hall, Lyons, Rockingham, Carton, Ballyfin, Fota, Lissadell) by Frank Keohane, Independent Scholar.

Notwithstanding the sweeping popularity of the Gothic revival during the early nineteenth century, the classical style never went away. It continued to be the height of fashion well into the middle of the century. During what was a building boom for country houses, an emerging Irish architectural profession cast off many of the shackles of eighteenth century classicism, employed architectural elements in a less restrictive manner and engaged with the newly fashionable Greek Revival and Italianate styles. This talk will explore the work of both Irish and English architects such as John Nash, Francis Johnston, the Morrisons and their students while at the same time considering the emergence of the informal house and the quest for comfort.

Book for this prerecorded on-line Zoom lecture.

Acknowledgments

Irish Country House Architecture lectures have been inspired by the late Hon. Desmond Guinness who was a tireless champion of the Irish country house, through the establishment of the Irish Georgian Society, the saving of Castletown house for the nation, and the writing of publications that celebrated the Irish country house, such as Irish Houses and Castles (1973) and Great Irish Houses and Castles (1992).

Irish Country House Architecture lectures form part of the IGS's Conservation Education Programme, which is supported by Merrion Properties and Heather and John Picerne. The Society also wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the London Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society and Ecclesiastical Insurance in sponsoring the Irish Country House Architecture lecture series.

Attendance at the lectures is recognised as formal CPD by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

Image: Ballyfin, County Laois, courtesy of Ballyfin Demense.