Palladian Ireland: Great Country Houses of Northern Ireland & The Republic

Sponsored by The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America
Arranged by Classical Excursions

Mount Stewart, Newtownards, County Down: Originally built in 1804 and later extended, the first architect was George Dance, the teacher of Sir John Soane. Filled with magnificent antiques, the Regency-styled house contains 22 chairs used at the Congress of Vienna (1815) and given to Mt. Stewart’s owner, Lord Castlereagh, British Foreign Secretary and member of the Londonderry family. The house also holds one of the finest paintings by George Stubbs of the celebrated racehorse, Hambletonian. Mt. Stewart’s gardens cover 80 acres and are considered the most complete in Ireland, thriving in the area’s subtropical microclimate. Overlooking Strangford Lough is the exquisite small banqueting pavilion inspired by the Temple of the Winds in Athens.

Bellamont Forest, Cootehill, County Cavan: Dating from the 1730s and owned by the Coote family, it is the first and remains the purest example of a Palladian villa in Ireland. Its inspiration was Palladio’s Villa Pisani at Montagnana. Bellamont Forest gives an impression of solidity, having been built of red brick with a Doric limestone portico and pediments over the windows. Architectural beauty reigns throughout this house, the entrance hall consisting of black and white marble flooring and marble busts of Roman emperors set in round niches high on the walls. The highly elaborate drawing room plaster ceiling is dominated by a bold circular wreath. By contrast the library and dining room ceilings are coved and coffered in geometrical patterns.

Florence Court, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh: An important Irish Georgian mansion, it was named after Lady Florence Cole, the wife of Sir John Cole, the owner who probably had built around 1730 the finally proportioned center block of the house. A later generation in the 1760s added flanking arcaded wings with end pavilions. The vigorous treatment of the exterior is repeated in the interior. Lavish Rococo plaster decoration is featured which was painstakingly restored after a fire in 1955. The Venetian Room, staircase and dining room have the most elaborate plasterwork. The house is filled with 18th-century Irish furniture.

Castle Coole, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh: Considered the finest Neo-classical country house in Ireland, it nearly bankrupted its owner, Armar Lowry-Corry, Earl of Belmore, in his attempt in the 1790s to outdo his brother-in-law and neighbor, the Earl of Enniskillen, at Florence Court. The quality of the Portland stone masonry is exceptional, with the design on all four sides of equal perfection. It continues inside, with harmonious unity and balance in the joinery and plasterwork. The final plans were executed by the English architect, James Wyatt. The plasterer was Joseph Rose, who had been hired by Robert Adam to work at Syon House and Harewood House.in England. Another glory of Castle Coole is that almost all of the Regency furniture is original and still in place.

A two-night stay at historic and privately owned Crom Castle, as guests of Viscount Crichton. All rooms are beautifully decorated and have en suite bathrooms. Our private chef will prepare daily meals for the participants during our stay. Participants also enjoy access to the private gardens, trails around the lake, and visits to the garden follies such as the tea house, Crichton Tower, Victorian boathouse and the ruins of old Crom Castle.

A private visit to Ballywalter Park, led by Lord Dunleath. Built in 1846 for Andrew Mullholland (whose son became the first Lord Dunleath) and designed by the prominent Belfast architect, Sir Charles Lanyon, the house is the best-preserved example of the Italianate palazzo style in Ireland.

A private visit and tea at Barons Court, hosted by His Grace, Duke of Abercorn. The house was started in 1779 by the architect George Steuart (who also designed Attingham Hall in Shropshire 1783). Later architects involved in redesigning and completing Barons Court were John Soane and Richard and William Morrison. The result was a powerful seven-bay house with a rotunda located in the heart of the building. The main pediment contains the family coat of arms. The interiors range from the classical coffered rotunda encircled by a ring of Ionic columns to a typical Morrisonian library redecorated by the prominent English decorator, David Hicks.

A visit to Castletown in County Kildare, Irelands first Palladian house to be erected with proper classical proportions and designed by a professional architect- Alessandro Galiliei (1691-1737). This house is said to have inspired the White House.

A tour of the incredible Palladion jewel Russborough House. Built in 1741 by Joseph Leeson. “ No other Palladian house in Ireland equals it either for its architecture or its spectacular setting”.

Marino Casino, the pleasure pavilion designed by Sir William Chambers and considered to be one of the most perfect buildings in Europe.

Indicates properties in Northern Ireland. Many are featured in Great Irish Houses & Castles by Desmond Guiness.

This is only a partial listing- other properties will also be included.

Travel