Archive
Abandoned Mansions of Ireland
Exhibition at Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare. 1st April-2nd May.
Free admission
‘Abandoned Mansions of Ireland’ - Tarquin Blake’s fascinating photographic project- spanning three years of research and documentation goes on display at Castletown House, Celbridge from the 1st April until the 2nd May. The exhibition is in the main hall of the house and is free entry. The exhibition will contain images of the lost estate houses of Ireland from Blake's recent bestselling and critically acclaimed book 'Abandoned Mansions of Ireland' published by The Collins Press.
In the exhibition, Blake documents the end of the landed aristocracy in Ireland and the demise of their country mansion houses. His beautiful, haunting images of crumbling ruins convey an indefinable beauty. The images are accompanied by history and folklore, telling of troubled times and private hardship. Blake’s compelling images also provide convincing evidence of the wilful neglect that numerous examples of our architectural heritage are being allowed to disintegrate.
For examples of Blake's work, refer to his website www.AbandonedIreland.com
Castletown House
Castletown House is Ireland's largest and earliest Palladian style house. It was built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. The house remained in the hands of Conolly’s descendents until 1965 when it was sold to a property developer. Demolition of the house started but it was saved by the Hon. Desmond Guinness and the Irish Georgian Society. Today it is in the care of the Irish State under the OPW and is open to the public. It is one of the finest houses in all Ireland and essential viewing for anybody interested in architecture or heritage.
For further information about Castletown House, refer to the website www.castletownhouse.ie