Radiating Portland stone lozenges cover the floor of the staircase hall at Townley Hall, County Louth. Dating from the late 1790s, the house is architect Francis Johnston’s masterpiece, one of the purest examples of neo-classicism in Ireland.
This also marks the hundredth piece from the Irish Aesthete since the site made its debut last September. And so readers, you are cordially invited to offer feedback: what subjects most interest you; about what would you like to read more; are there buildings or subjects you wish to see featured? As ever, comments of the literate and temperate variety are welcomed.
I shall be writing further about matchless Townley Hall in a few weeks’ hence.
Just keep it coming, I find your posts fascinating, many thanks for your efforts.
Thank you, I am delighted with your enthusiasm as it acts as a spur to keep on. Please continue reading and do spread the word about the Irish Aesthete…
Indeed, I too enjoy all that you write, and I look forward to your regular posts with alacrity.
Well, of course in your case the compliment is reciprocated! Thank you as always.
Please, don’t stop ’til you’ve covered all the fine houses in Ireland. Then perhaps give us a snapshot of some of the less salubrious abodes before revisiting the grander piles in more detail.
And give that camera of yours a good workout too!
JP
Fan mail. I love it just the way it is. So moving about Miss Tighe yesterday and the amazing quote re lunar/solar beauty. Also having an understanding of the social and political history interwoven with real places. I find it absolutely charming and an antidote to the troubles of our current world. It is like stepping back in time in the nicest possible way. Love, Marion xxx
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Thank you dear Marion, I’m so pleased you are following this and remembering your own Irish links. And I’m so sad not to have seen you when in the USA last week, but soon I hope. Meanwhile, much love to you and John…
Thank you very much. I am enjoying the saga of the George simulated tortoiseshell girandole (and would encourage other readers to follow it on Jack Plane’s blog also).
Robert, I have taken many photographs of Russborough for the Beit foundation (FOC) and know Eric Blatchford very well. If you like I can forward these photographs on to you. I have both Hi-res & Lo-res to cover print & web.
Thank you for that kind offer. I would be most interested in seeing your pictures. If you want to give them to Eric (on a disc if you have a lot) he can pass them on to me at our next board meeting, might that be easiest?
Thanks again and best wishes.
I’ll post them to him early next week. Although he already has copies I think a separate disk for you would be best There are a good selection of general views of the interior but also a selection of detail shots. You have full permission to use them for whatever purposes you see fit, all I ask is that I get an acknowledgement for having taken them.
Very many thanks, I look forward to receiving it when next I see Eric. I will let you know once the disc is in my hands. My thanks once more and best wishes
Wonderful descriptions! love the way you weave the architectural, social and historical elements into your narratives, -plus great images. Please keep them coming!
Thank you very much, I’m delighted you like the blend (which makes it sound as though I am offering coffee…). And again, please spread the word – we want everyone to appreciate the worth of Ireland’s heritage.
Agree with Helen. Just keep doing what you do! The social and historical elements add so much interest and information. Congratulations on one hundred!
As always, thank you for your support Michael, it is most encouraging. Now to get to two hundred…
This is a very important site in terms of enlightenment and education. The dedication to your art is so evident in your writing. The show must go on!
Thank you, that is kind. And so, the show will go on and on and on…
Although a late arrival to the party, I’ve really enjoyed going through older topics by county, etc. But because of the cross referential nature of your posts and the obvious regard for your subjects, I’d love to see more visuals accompanying the stories… As in your Luggala book…
BTW- on iPad there seems to be a problem with the title line of Replys on the Comments page…
Thanks for your comment. Working on an ipad, as I am now, can be a maddening process but I’m not sure I understand what you mean here? As for pictures, I frequently have lots more, but I also usually have lots more I could write too – one tries to judge what will hold a reader’s interest, especially if that reader is looking at it on a portable device where everything is shrunken.
Still, in deference to your wishes, I will try to incorporate additional visuals where possible/appropriate…
Thanks for your reply… on the comments page, for example, the reply from”the irish aesthete” is overlaid on “thursday 16 May 2013 at”….
On a totally different slant….Not Georgian, Palladian or even Victorian….. but…..Would you have any info on Olive Sullivan, an editor at British H&G in the 60’s? I found a few copies of same recently and they have interesting stories on the kinsale home of the Volkswagen O’Flahertys, the mews home of Irish Architect, Sam Stephenson and another on a split level house built on a tennis court in Killiney….
The name isn’t familiar to me I’m afraid, but let me do some digging and if I discover any information I will let you know. I remember visiting the Kinsale house many years ago when it was considered terribly avant garde, altho’ I suspect that would no linger be the case.