As many loyal (and much appreciated) readers will be aware, I began writing The Irish Aesthete way back in September 2012. The reasons for my doing so are no longer clear, but they certainly involved a desire to share a long-standing passion for Ireland’s architectural heritage which it seemed to me then – and still seems to me now – has been insufficiently celebrated and cherished. Gradually, and somewhat surprisingly, The Irish Aesthete developed a following, both within Ireland and overseas, and then spawned a presence on various other social media outlets, particularly Instagram.
From the beginning I recognised that, given the subject matter, my text needed to be accompanied by pictures. However, having never before taken photographs, indeed having never even owned a camera, I used my mobile phone. I still do and, as the quality of these devices has improved over the years, so too, I hope, has the quality of my pictures. But my amateur status remains: I’m a writer who takes photographs, not a photographer who writes.
Drummin, County Kildare
Oakfield Park, County Donegal
Lissadell, County Sligo
40 Merrion Square, Dublin
Middleton Park, County Westmeath
Clandeboye, County Down
In 2022, to mark ten years of The Irish Aesthete, I gave a digital set of all my photographs to the Irish Architectural Archive on Merrion Square in Dublin, a terrific repository of wisdom and information, which for many years has helped to promote better understanding of this country’s historic architecture. Many of the pictures in my recently-published book, The Irish Aesthete: Buildings of Ireland, Lost and Found featured in an exhibition at the IAA held to coincide with the donation, but not all because since that date I have visited further sites and photographed them.
The pictures included in the book are a cross-section of the very many (over 100,000) taken over the past twelve years, covering everything from country houses to cottages, from ancient monasteries to garden follies. Consistent posting on social media several times a week means I have always been on the lookout for new (or rather old) material. Before setting out on any journey, I look to see what sites might be explored en route, and prepare a list in advance. Sometimes the results are disappointing, but sometimes there are unexpected, always welcome, delights: a house spotted over a hedge, or an old ruin in a nearby field. Astonishingly, there continue to be more places to be investigated.
Deel Castle, County Mayo
Clontuskert Priory, County Galway
Trimblestown Castle, County Meath
36 Westland Row, Dublin
Ballyfin, County Laois
Castletown, County Kildare
So, this is a record of buildings visited to date, but by no means exhaustive. There are still lots of properties and parts of this island which still wait to be explored. The sheer diversity of places on our small country and the quality of our historic architecture continue to excite me. I hope that the Irish Aesthete has a future as well as a past.
The Irish Aesthete: Buildings of Ireland, Lost and Found is now available in all good bookshops or through www.lilliputpress.ie/product/the-irish-aesthete
Wonderful work Robert and congratulations on your milestone. I appreciate reading your blog each week and wish some of my ancestors piles were preserved and not ruins.
It is the quality of your research which we appreciate. However that research would be hard to appreciate without your photographs.
Keep up the good work!
Many congratulations on creating a brilliant heritage site; long may it continue. Tim
Thank you Robert for all the wonderful information which I throughly enjoy. Sorry I wasn’t able to make your book launch but I look forward to reading it very much.🌺
I have looked forward to and enjoyed every one of your brilliant articles .
Congratulation and keep up the good work .
A carpenter .
Congratulations on reaching your latest milestone
Congratulations and many thanks for keeping the light lit! So many of us are almost impotent when it comes to actually doing anything that might help persuade our government, local and national do any more. Your example, with others is what keeps us going. Keep up the great work Robert it is appreciated!
Many Many MANY congratulations on reaching this milestone! I thoroughly enjoy & look forward to reading your article every week. Thank you SO much! Sylvia McClintock Wright
Congratulations Robert , the ongoing work and the book , which we picked up a number of on Saturday, are fantastic reminders of our heritage , abandoned or otherwise. I look forward to the articles and the book is a great momento of places visited through your good graces.
Bravo, Robert.
The Irish Aesthete , a diamond in the soil of the internet. Congratulations Robert .
CONGRATULATIONS – BEAUTIFUL PICTURES – MORE PICTURES OF INTERIORS OF RESTORED HOMES PLEASE.
I am amazed that all your photographs are taken on your phone, you obviously have great skill! The Irish Aesthete email is always opened with excitement. Thank you for continuing to provide us with such enjoyment.
Really well done.
Tom
Congratulations from a New York follower of your wonderful work.