PICTURESQUE DESIGNED LANDSCAPES OF KERRY: Where Art embraces Nature

The Irish Georgian Society was delighted to partner with Kerry County Council and Cairde Choláiste Íde Teo to deliver the seminar, Picturesque Designed Landscapes of Kerry: where art embraces nature.

The seminar took place on Friday 27^th September at Coláiste Íde which is located in the historic Burnham House, originally the seat of the Lords Ventry, outside of Dingle.

An action of the Irish Georgian Society’s Conservation Education Programme overseen by IGS Conservation Manager & Assistant Director, Emmeline Henderson, the seminar formed part of the vibrant Architecture Kerry Festival, which is directed by Kerry County Council’s dynamic Architectural Conservation Officer Victoria McCarthy, who co-convened the seminar.

The daylong seminar celebrated Kerry’s designed landscapes and gardens and explored their history and championed their conservation.

Fascinating presentations were delivered by Aaron Harty, Des Byrne; Dr Vandra Costello, Tom Dillon, Dr David Fleming, Victoria McCarthy, Dr Finola O’Kane and Terence Reeves-Smyth with Donough Cahill and Dr John Knightly chairing, and further contributions from Tony Bergin, President of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, and welcome addresses from Seán Ó Catháin, Cathaoirleach of the Bord na Stiurthoirí and Councillor Breandán Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council.

Augmenting the presentations was a walking tour led by archaeologist Mícheál Ó Coileáin which outlined the significance of the historic gardens of Burham house, with an emphasis on the extraordinary collection of Ogham Stones located within the grounds.

Further enhancing the seminar on the day were two exhibitions: Natalie Deegan, of ARTlab Tralee curated an exhibition with the senior cycle Coláiste Íde art students showcasing the interpretation of their historic built environment; and Mary McCarthy, curated an exhibition, Postcards from the Edge: a pictorial history of Dingle Chorca Dhuibhne Architecture, Land, Sea and People.

The day was well attended with architects, conservationists, gardeners and landscape historians, as well as many enthusiasts present from both Kerry and beyond the county.

The Society wishes to thank all the speakers, in particular those who travelled substantial distances, as well as our hosts, Choláiste Íde (Ireland’s only Irish speaking girls’ boarding school) their Principal, Conall Ó Cruadhlaoich, their board, staff (Aoife and Siobhan) and students for their hospitality: go raibh maith agat.

Lastly, the Society wishes to acknowledge the supporters and funders: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Heritage Council, Kerry County Council, and Cairde Choláiste Íde Teo.

The Society trusts that the seminar will assist in generating an enhanced appreciation and understanding of Kerry’s extraordinary heritage of historic gardens and designed landscapes which in turn will translate into their considered management and conservation.

TOP IMAGE (right to left) Emmeline Henderson, IGS Assistant Director and Conservation Manager (co-convenor); Tom Dillon (speaker); Donough Cahill, IGS Executive Director (Chair); Dr Vandra Costello (speaker); Dr David Fleming (speaker); Terence Reeves Smyth (speaker); Victoria McCarthy (speaker and co-convenor); Dr Finola O’Kane (speaker); Des Byrne (speaker); Dr John Knightly (chair); Mary McCarthy (curator); and Mícheál Ó Coileáin (speaker
Image reproduced courtesy of Pauline Dennigan.

Opening Address: Councillor Breandán Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council.

Welcome Address from Seán Ó Catháin, Cathaoirleach of the Bord na Stiurthoirí

Tony Bergin, President of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society explaining their annual young historian award established to encourage participants to research and write an essay on a local history topic in a personal, interesting and critical way with a specific focus on some of Kerry's lesser told stories.

Aaron Harty, winner of Young Historian of the Year (Junior Catagory 2023) delivering his talk 'Lassinagh House, The Spa, Tralee'

Des Byrne delivering his talk, NIAH inventory of historic gardens and designed landscapes of County Kerry

Victoria McCarthy deliver her talk 'Room with a View, the Designed Landscape of Coláiste Íde'

Dr David Fleming delivering his talk 'Nurserymen and landscape design in County Kerry'

Tom Dillon delivering his talk Exploring our roots: Heritage Trees of County Kerry

Dr Vandra Costello delivering her talk, 'The tourists’ experience of visiting the lakes and landscapes of Killarney in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries'

Terence Reeves-Smyth delivering his talk 'Big House Pastimes: Three Centuries of Sport in Irish Parks and Gardens'

Audience at Picturesque Designed Landscapes of Kerry: where art embraces nature seminar.

Mícheál Ó Coileáin speaking to the seminar attendees in the historic grounds of Burham House.

Victoria McCarthy explaining the landscape during the tour of the historic gardens of Burham house.

Mícheál Ó Coileáin explaining the significance of the Ogham stones located within the grounds of Burham house gardens.

Postcards from the Edge: a pictorial history of Dingle Chorca Dhuibhne Architecture, Land, Sea and People curated by Mary Raftery.

Picturesque Designed Landscapes of Kerry: where art embraces nature concludes with a picturesque double rainbow bidding us farewell from the Kingdom of Kerry.