Scaffolding has been erected in the great octagonal Exhibition Room following the completion of works to soundproof the floor from what will be a commercial space below. This will provide access to the roof-light which requires replacement and will also facilitate works to the ceiling and walls of the room. The first big change is the removal of the enormous 1950s two tiered chandelier with its twelve large glass lightshades. This chandelier is for sale with proceeds going to support conservation. Get in touch if you know of a buyer!

This project is supported by The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Foundation and the following supporters:

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Following a series of catastrophic fires in protected structures in Cork, the Irish Georgian Society calls for a greater understanding of the importance of and threats to the city's architectural heritage:

Cork, Ireland's most significant trading city for many hundreds of years, has suffered greatly from the destruction of some of her most significant buildings- yesterday St. Kevin's and last year Vernon Mount and Fortwilliam House. Despite the extraordinary wealth of Cork's Georgian and Victorian architectural heritage much research remains to be carried out. When compared with our knowledge of the Fitzwilliam, Gardiner and Aungier estates, who built and commissioned many of Dublin city's squares, streets, terraces and great houses, we know little of Cork. The comparison might also hold true for Limerick, where knowledge of the Pery family's developments has helped to save them from some insensitive development. Cork County Council's recent publication A Guide to the Archaeological and Architectural Heritage Sources (available online) reveals that the number of architectural history sources for Cork city remains meagre, with some notable exceptions provided by Dagmar O'Riain, Frank Keohane, Jeremy Williams, Mary Leland and Colin Rynne among others.

It is the intention of the Irish Georgian Society to actively support research into the architectural history of Cork city so that its architectural heritage may be more valued and thereby more likely to be conserved for future generations. Volume XXI of Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies, The Journal of the Irish Georgian Society will be devoted to the architectural and landscape heritage of Cork city with this aim in mind.

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Book of the Month: July 2017
Houses of Power The Places that Shaped the Tudor World 
by Simon Thurley 

What was it like to live as a royal Tudor? Why were their residences built as they were and what went on inside their walls? Who slept where and with who? Who chose the furnishings? And what were their passions?

The Tudors ruled through the day, throughout the night, in the bath, in bed and in the saddle. Their palaces were genuine power houses - the nerve-centre of military operations, the boardroom for all executive decisions and the core of international politics. Houses of Power is the result of Simon Thurley's thirty years of research, picking through architectural digs, and examining financial accounts, original plans and drawings to reconstruct the great Tudor houses and understand how these monarchs shaped their lives. Far more than simply an architectural history - a study of private life as well as politics, diplomacy and court - it gives an entirely new and remarkable insight into the Tudor world.

For the month of July, you can purchase this book at the special price of €40, with free worldwide postage. Or €30 from our bookshop on South William Street.

Published by Bantam Press (2017)

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Irish Georgian Society's International Tour to Moravia (17 - 22 June 2017)

The 2017 tour to Moravia led by Rose Mary Craig and Harriet Landseer visited a number of country houses and gardens in Czech Republic. The group stayed in the town of Brno while travalling to places of interest such as 1930's Tugendhat Villa, the Empire chateau of Boskovice, the baroque Jaromerice nad Rokytnou, Uhercice and the UNESCO listed Archbishop’s Summer Palace at Kromeriz.

   

  

   

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The 2017 Summer Garden Party (24 June) was kindly hosted by Harold Clarke at Knockanree Gardens, Avoca, Co. Wicklow. Members were given a tour of the gardens which were developed by Harold in 1995. The garden had many interesting features inspired by gardens around the globe. There are European and Indian sculptures, a Japanese Zen circle, a Chinese bridge and a French parterre. Members enjoyed canapes and refreshments by the parterre.

A sincere thank you to Harold Clarke for hosting the Irish Georgian Society and all our volunteers who assisted in making the party such a success!

Caolan, Simon, John and Vitalia

Members enjoying a tour of the gardens

 

Margaret Barry and Harold Clarke

Harold Clarke

Harold Clarke giving members a tour

Seamus Hogan and Edwina Hogan

     

Board Member and Events Chair Rose Mary Craig giving a presentation to Harold Clarke.

 

   

  

  

  

 

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Cleaning between joists in the Exhibition Room prior to the installation of soundproofing.

Formwork for pouring of the lift pit; a challenging job to undertake given the difficulties of bringing concrete down into the basement.

A further corner fireplace has been revealed in the basement following the removal of plasterboarding. Regrettably no evidence of a chimneypiece was found as with the neighbouring room though it is evident that a stove may have been installed in the last fifty years.

This project is being undertaken in partnership with Dublin City Council through the support of the Gilbert & Ildiko Butler Family Foundation, the Jerome L Greene Foundation, The Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural, Regional & Gaeltacht Affairs, and the generosity of foundations and supporters in Ireland, the USA and the UK.

Follow the City Assembly House facebook page and twitter for further updates!

This project is supported by The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Foundation and the following supporters:

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