Robert O’Byrne is a writer and lecturer specialising in the fine and decorative arts. He is the author of more than a dozen books, among them Luggala Days: The Story of a Guinness House (Cico Books) and The Last Knight: A Tribute to Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin (Lilliput Press). A former Vice-President of the Irish Georgian Society and trustee of the Alfred Beit Foundation, he is currently a trustee of the Apollo Foundation. Among other work he writes a monthly column for Apollo magazine (http://www.apollo-magazine.com), and also contributes to each issue of the quarterly Irish Arts Review (http://www.irishartsreview.com). All opinions expressed herein on Ireland, her landscape, architecture and artefacts are his own.
Having a bit if a domestic. Were you a guest on tonight’s lords and ladles?
Thank you for getting in touch. Yes, and will be on the next three programmes in the series so watch out…
Fill us in – what is lords and ladles?
Hi I was wondering if you plan to visit Limavady sometime? Would love to give you a tour if you’re planning on coming up.
Thank you for getting in touch; no plans in the immediate future, but I will let you know if/when I am in your part of the world. We met a couple of years ago you will remember at the Earl-Bishop conference.
Yes I remember. Hopefully we can have that conference again sometime! Out of that conference the Earl Bishop Heritage Trail was developed and is being launched on 16th July. You might also be interested in the Beresford Obelisk which has recently been restored by the Follies Trust. If you plan on coming up please email me.
Dear Lawrie, please read the following and all will be made clear: http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/lordsandladles.html
Dear Mr O’Byrne – Much enjoyed your book “Luggala Days” I will treasure my copy and have bought some more as gifts for friends – such a fine evocation of a very special country house.
So much of interest in the history of the house and its successive owners and its remarkable
current custodian the Honourable Garech Browne. You have evoked an era and somehow
have made it a memorial to times both wonderful and sometimes sad. The lovely greens in
the background to your home page are so very appropriate to your theme. We have nothing
out here in Australia quite like it – unless it be the homestead house “Panshanger” in Tasmania
although it is more Greek Revival than Gothic-Romantic.
With Best Wishes, Douglas Hassall; Canberra Australia.
Dear Dr Hassall,
Thank you for getting in touch and for your kind remarks. I am so pleased you enjoyed ‘Luggala Days’; it was a fun project and has ensured a permanent record of the house has been created.
Please encourage others to follow The Irish Aesthete: the more people are familiar with Ireland’s architectural heritage, the better chance of its future survival.
Again my thanks and best wishes, RO’B
Dear Mr O’Byrne – Yes, your Luggala book goes on my shelf here alongside D Guinness’ Irish Houses & Castles; P Harbison et al on Irish Art & Architecture; and various others. Incidentally,
here is a photo of “Panshanger” in Tasmania – one of the purest of lines in our “early” houses
and featured in most books on our historic houses and homesteads; it has a certain grave and
austere beauty. I found on youtube the film about John Boorman with its few minutes about
Luggala and the Hon. Garech Browne ‘levitating’ – a wonderful moment captured for ever! As a
matter of interest, I first heard of your Luggala book from review of it in The Spectator. I gather Luggala is not all that far from “The Meeting of the Waters” memorialised by Thomas Moore in his song and of which John McCormack made such a likely gramophone recording?
Best Regards, Douglas Hassall
Here is the link for Panshanger photo – there are others available on the web.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0xaa708e1c2600ad0d:0x443870f9a7ecca71!2m5!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e1!4shttps://plus.google.com/101983806491480499300/photos?hl%3Den%26socfid%3Dweb:lu:kp:placepageimage%26socpid%3D1!5spanshanger+tasmania+-+Google+Search&sa=X&ei=tpGbVfCYDYPwmAWj-LjQAg&ved=0CHYQoiowCg
Dear Robert, I have been meaning to email you for ages to say how much I enjoyed your book on the Knight. It was really well done. I have teased Kieran Fitzgerald over the years about putting in a bid to be the next Knight. I now know to stop that. I thought I had an email address for you but hunted high and low with no luck. Jane said to post a comment on your website, which I snoop regularly. It is also really well done. Anyway, hope you’re well. Best wishes Diarmuid
Dear Robert – I recently curated an exhibition of Irish landscape paintings here in NY which sparked my interest in wanting to know more about the art from Ireland, by artists both living and deceased. Through my exhibition, I got to delve a bit into the local history and in some cases displayed paintings alongside period Georgian Irish antiques. Was overall a fantastic experience. (http://www.sparkplusart.com/#!john-kelly-irish-landscapes/cj8b)
More browsing on the Internet on the topic led me to your blog and I’m loving it. Hope to visit Ireland some day, and see her landscape and architecture, and your blog will be my guide book!
Thank you for your email: it was most inreresting to see John Kelly’s work (and I much like the mahogany sideboard visible below the triptych High and Low). And thank you for your kind remarks too about the blog, I am so glad you enjoy it – tell your friends, I am always keen to encourage more interest in Ireland and our heritage! Best wishes from the deepest countryside here.
Thank you, Robert! The sideboard is Irish Regency from County Cork, exactly where artist John Kelly is now based in and was painting the views of! A couple Irish pieces throughout the installation views (item details on p.13 of the digital catalogue). Glad you enjoyed the paintings! I’ll let my friends know about your blog. Cheers.
Dear Robert O’Byrne. I am finishing an article on James Latham and Joseph Highmore for a forthcoming publication by Irish Academic Press, and refer to the portrait of the duelling Knight of Glin (formerly attributed to Highmore). I wonder whether you can confirm that the current attribution to Herman van der Mijn, as mentioned in your blog, was the judgement of the late Knight of Glin (if not, who?), and, if you refer to the portrait in your book ‘The Last Knight’, I wonder whether you would be kind enough to give me the page reference, as I would like to add the details to an endnote (unfortunately the British Library does not hold a copy). With thanks and very best wishes, Yours sincerely, Dr Jacqueline Riding.
Thank you for your message: I have just sent you an email on the matter.
Hi Robert,
I am developing a TV program about restoration projects on old buildings and would love to have a chat with you about it. Is there a number I could contact you at?
Many Thanks,
Siobhan
Thank you for your message: I have sent an email to your address…
Hello,
my 3 x great grandfather’s cottage had his name plastered onto one of the gable end walls…..does anybody know if this was common practice in any part of the island of Ireland……none of his neighbors had it on their houses and I am trying to research his origins as he was not native to the townland he lived in during the 18th/19th Centuries.
Is NAMA the new Land Commission, What will become of Westport House?
Thank you for your comment. I am afraid that NAMA is entirely driven by economists and banking boffs, and therefore has little concern with the long-term preservation of the national heritage – its focus being on a short-term return on bank debt. This might be fine with regard to incomplete housing estates and the like, but is extremely damaging when it comes to more important locations such as Westport. But I fear those who run the organisation do not think as do we…
Hello,
love your work here! I’ve been following for a while, but this is my first time posting, since this seems to be the easiest area to reach you. I’ve been tracking down some ancestral roots lately, and found a lot of information on the Fitzpatricks of Liscannor, Co. Clare. I’ve noticed in some of the records they list their living area as “Ballyrislane,” I’ve tried searching for information about the townland, but to no avail. I saw that it’s mentioned in The Land Law Act of 1881, but don’t have the means to access those papers. I’m making the trip to Dublin for the centennial in a few weeks and plan on going to the RIA to see if I can find anything, but figured I’d ask you if you’d ever heard of the town before? Thank you for everything you do!
Best,
Tyler Fitzpatrick
Cambridge, MA, USA
Thanks for your email. I have been in the US (actually I just flew back from Boston last night) so am only responding now. And I must go away again, so this must be brief. Have you looked at the census reports for 1901 and 1911? They give more information on who was living where throughout the country in those years, which might be of help to you. And there is a site run by Galway University called http://www.landedestates.ie/ Of course this tends to deal with large land owners but it might be of use to you in tracking who was in the area in the 19th century.
I will see if I can think of anything else for you. Best wishes for now, and I hope you enjoy your forthcoming trip to this country.
Hi Robert My Name is Oisin Roche I am one of the artist’s included in the dictionary of living irish artists, i am just making contact to keep you updated on my work and current CV , i also have a page on facebook showing work that is on view in my studio, the link is https://www.facebook.com/paintingscurrentlyforsale/?ref=bookmarks hopeto keep in touch, my email is oisinroche@hotmail.com
sincerely
Oisin Roche
Dear Oisin,
Thank you for getting in touch and very glad to hear that all is well. I am about to go onto your Facebook page and look at the latest work which I am sure is as good as, if not better than, anything I have seen before. Very best wishes.
Hello! Fellow Aesthete here (although rather younger, almost 19). Currently at college in Cambridge Massachusetts. While we have some lovely aesthetics here (I’m actually sitting in my favorite spot on campus now, Dunster house library) it’s nothing compared to what you have across the Atlantic. Do you have the desire to ever correct the lighting of a room when it doesn’t fit correctly? That seems to be my strongest pull. I despise the new incandescent light bulbs with a passion. Anyway, to finally get to my questions, have you read Burke’s aesthetics, if so what did you think of it? I think he got the lighting part spot on but i’d love to hear your opinion/recommendation for books on aesthetics. I absurdly actually buy old light bulbs off ebay for my desk-lamp. Any sage advice to pass along to a younger aesthete? Advice or epiphanies are very welcome.
Best,
Brian William Mott
Thank you for getting in touch and apologies for not replying sooner: the usual reason, I spend a lot of my time travelling. Hence too the brevity of this response, as I have been out of contact with the wider world in recent days and must now play catch-up. Please therefore excuse me if I do not reply at length other than to say that yes, I read Burke (an Irishman, after all) with pleasure while an undergraduate but he is little appreciated today, certainly not in his native country where perhaps his devotion to the British government and opposition to the French Revolution has tarnished him in the popular mind.
Dear Mr. Robert O’Byrne, first I apologize because I don’t speak English very well, so i afraid that my expressions will be not too elegant… In every case I want to thank you for this raffinate site full of very suggestive and evocative pictures. I never visited Ireland, but I have heard that is a beautiful place. I hope, within a brief future time, I will can visit your country. Meanwhile I enjoy this virtual journey also if only with my eyes… I like these pages where I can see a lot of the “minor places” that are full of charm in every case. Also in my country that’s rich of great masterworks, often I go looking for enchanted little marvels, where tourists don’t go or just seldom. Your attention to the architecture, often apparently less important, many times in ruins, gives to your glance a raffinate taste, that I appreciated very much. The ruin is an important font of charm; many buildings without great artistic values can appear more suggestive and interesting just because in ruin. Like said Diderot: “il faut ruiner un palais pour en faire un objet d’intérêt” (Salon de 1767).
Ireland has two stylistic polar tastes: the classic one is like a well known perfume for me (“palladian style”…); while the gothic of castles and churches does more “northern” taste, so more “exotic” for the italian taste. The mix of both, that comes out from your photos, within the contest of the irish green nature, is overall totally attractive. I see in this photos a sense of calm and peace and also a soft melancholy, that comes also from the good ability of the photographer…
Last (not least) compliments for your accurate texts and the attention at the history of places and buildings.
Thanks a lot for your attention; a wish for your work that I want follow on this fine site; and dear regards from Italy (Venice and Milan that are my two cities).
Dear Mr Marcotti,
Thank you for all your very kind comments which are enormously appreciated (and your English is infinitely superior to my, very limited, Italian). I am so pleased that someone in your country shows an interest in Ireland’s architectural heritage since sometimes it seems as though too few Irish people do so. And thank you for the quote from Diderot: I have not read his Salon reviews since I was a university student writing my dissertation. I wish you well and send you my very best wishes from what, today, is a very damp and grey Ireland.
Dear Mr. O’Byrne,
Will you be participating in the European Architectural History Network Conference in Dublin later this May? I am attending and looking forward to the tours of 18th century houses in Dublin and around it. I greatly enjoy your blog.
Best regards,
Timothy M. Rohan
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Dear Mr.O’Byrne,
Lovely website. We are launching Belmond Grand Hibernian this summer, the first overnight luxury sleeper train in Ireland. I took great pleasure reading through your website.
Thank you very much.
Warm regards,
Wolfgang Eipeldauer
Congratulations on this most informative and beautiful written ‘blog’. I shall follow it closely. I remember overhearing your eloquent conversations at gallery openings in Dublin in the 1980s. The Taylor gallery was special.
Thank you for your kind remarks (altho’ slightly terrifying to think you were overhearing my ‘eloquent’ (for which likely translate pretentious) conversations decades ago: I have grown more intelligent, and reserved, in the interim…
But thank you again – and spread the word – the Irish Aesthete loves followers.
It was not the volume of your conversatione but rather the clarity of expression. Overhearing others is an unconscious facility. Await my memoirs, they will be amicable and infused with dublin, Parisian andvenetian summer sunshine. Wit, Proust and bellinis.
Best wishes liam
Dear Mr O’Byrne
Just finished reading your piece on Patrick Hennessy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Would you consider writing a book on Hennessy?
Thank you for getting in touch and for your kind comment: actually I hadn’t thought of a book on Hennessy – do you think there would be interest in such a work?
I believe there is a golden opportunity now on the back of the recent major exhibition for someone to write a small well illustrated biography on Hennessy and I further believe it would be well received by the Irish public.
Most interesting: thank you, I shall give it some thought…
Dear Mr. O’Byrne: I am new to your site and what a find you are!. While I Live in the US, my family traces back to the Perys of County Limerick. I had the privilege of joining my parents for a tour of Dromore Castle in 1952. She had all her roofs at that time. Needless to say I was but 13 years of age and had little why I was there.
My wife and I had a typically wonderful trip back but a few years ago to view Dromore in her sad state of repair.
Reading your various articles inspires me to research further. First, Is there any known reason why I am unable to print from The Irish Aesthete. Additionally, is the Architectural firm of Goodwin and Crisp still active. I would cherish the opportunity to contact them and obtain drawings both the exterior and the interior rooms
Thank you for getting in touch – and for your kind remarks, which are much appreciated.
As for your queries, I don’t know why you shouldn’t be able to print from the Irish Aesthete: you might like to ask wordpress (the server I use) if there is an explanation. Alternatively, you could just copy and paste the text (but perhaps you want the pictures also?).
As for Godwin, his firm has long since vanished. I think the Victoria & Albert Museum in London might have some material, or you could also try the Royal Institute of Architects in London (www.architecture.com) as it would be a useful source of reference.
I am sorry not to be of more assistance, but hope this proves a useful starting point…
Dear Robert, Rockenham Court, Ferrybank, Waterford was divided into 6 apartments some years ago and as owner of one of the apartments, I was intrigued recently when a photograph of the house (I would guess from the 1870s or 80s) was discovered. What is curious is that it appears to have two front doors … if indeed this was the front of the house. Is that unusual?
Thank you for your query. It’s difficult to judge without seeing the picture: it may be the back of the house, or the front. On the other hand, Tourin (also in County Waterford) which dates from c.1840 has flanking front doors at either end of the façade, so perhaps something similar was installed in your house?
Saw this article in the Westmeath Examiner, http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2016/09/27/4127230-councillors-anger-as-council-rules-out-barracks-takeover/
and made me think about your comments on what little ‘protected structures’ actually means. Apparently it can become a deterrent for anyone considering reusing the building? They say there are 16 in the complex.
Love your columns, particularly as I have Westmeath ancestors and everyone in Ireland (particularly tour packages) seem to ignore the area. Deborah Sena, Toms River NJ USA
Thank you for getting in touch, and for passing on that information about the barracks in Mullingar, which are already in a poor state of repair, so one fears things will only get worse rather than better. Listing a building as a protected structure can and does act as a deterrent, altho’ goodness knows there is little enforcement here of the relevant legislation (if there were, then the state would be one of the culprits being prosecuted). It is an unfortunate, and long-standing, state of affairs but one carries on…
Hello Robert,
Just wondering if you would consider featuring Woodbrook in Roscommon or Hollybrook House County Sligo?
Thanks for yours. I did try to see Woodbrook a couple of years ago as I love the book dearly. However, it was not possible to get near the house, which looked in somewhat poor condition (the little wings were long demolished) and the gate lodge was in a ruinous state. All too sad.
Hollybrook I should like to see, just a matter of finding the time to get over to Sligo but one of these days…
Hello Robert,
I found your article here on Clomantagh RIC barracks, Kilkenny, interesting and yet perplexing.
I am the grandson of the former owner, James Butler. The Butlers owned Clomantagh barracks and lived there for about 100 years. They also owned much of the surrounding land and properties.
I would be interested in sharing information that we have both found about the area.
James Butler.
Thank you for your message: I should be delighted to be in touch with you but am uncertain about your email address (which seems to be a commercial site). Perhaps you could let me have an email address and then we can be in direct contact.
Dear Robert O’Byrne – are you aware of the Historical Series “The Byrnes and the O’Byrnes”, by the historian Daniel Byrne-Rothwell. Presently published as 4 Volumes by Scottish Publisher, House of Lochar Publishing. View http://www.houseoflochar.com/Byrnetitle.htm
Presently a 5th Volume is in writing to describe the 73 O’Byrne Armorial variants found during earlier research on such items as tombs, tableware, documents etc…..and the families who have the right to bear them………..a sort of Armorial Pictorial Digest. In addition a complimentary BYRNE DNA Project was run in parallel to use science to support traditional genealogy. View http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/byrne/results
Enjoyed seeing you on “Lords & Ladles” !
best wishes – Shaun O’Byrne
Thank you for getting in touch and for the information you have provided: regrettably I know little about my own family (and there are no close relatives alive to advise), so this is most interesting and appreciated. (Thanks also for the comment ref. Lords & Ladles: it’s hoped there will be a third series next year…)
Just thought you would find this interesting.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/49433229_att-to-charles-jervas-oil-on-canvas
Thanks, most interesting – but I wish the auctioneers had included provenance (if they had any), not least to know why it is described as ‘of County Galway’: the rear of the canvas doesn’t carry any additional information as far as I can tell…
Dear Robert,
We would like to discuss the possibility of including some of your text on a particular house in a forthcoming publication.
Kind regards,
Rachel Mc Kenna
Thank you for getting in touch. I have left a message on your voicemail.
Hello Robert, I’m a reporter with The Wall Street Journal, and I’d like to interview you for a story I’m working on about a home in Ireland. Can you drop me a line?
Thanks,
Leigh Kamping-Carder
Just come across your blog and wondered if you ever will turn your expert gaze upon Tyrone House, Kilcolgan, Co Galway? I read that there were attempts by the Georgian Soc to acquire it that came to naught, and other local govt efforts have similarly failed. I understand that the house and the St George family inspired Somerville & Ross to write The House at Inver.
Hoping that you will write something about this splendid pile overlooking Moran’s oyster Bar (recommended).
Thanks
Bill Bligh
Thank you for getting in touch. Yes indeed I am more than familiar with Tyrone House and the St Georges: I have written a long text on the house and its family which is due to appear later this year. When that happens I shall let you know and you will be able to read all about it…
Best wishes for now.
Looking forward to this very much, as have a family connection to the St Gs.
Hi Robert,
I am studying a masters in TV and Radio and I am creating, as part of my course I am doing radio documentary on Hugh Lane. I read your book on Hugh Lane, and I would just like to ask you a few questions about Lane and his collection. I would like to send you on an email, so if you could get in touch with me via email that would be great. My email address is brianhyland111@yahoo.ie.
Kind Regards,
Brian Hyland
Thank you for your message. I shall email you shortly.
Robert-
Enjoy your blog! I wonder if you might know of a 18th century house that has gone by the name Woodlands and prior to this Clinshogh in Santry, Co Dublin (not to be confused with Santry Demesne). Legends of J Swift having designed it etc but perhaps by in reality by Pearce. I read of it in Maurice Craig’s “Classic Irish houses of the Middle Size” but have not found information otherwise. Doubtless you will know!
Thank you for getting in touch. Your timing is perfect because as it happens I was speaking of this house (the design attributed to Pearce) earlier today and I hope to see it in the coming weeks. To be continued…
What a small world! Will look forward to it.
Dear Mr O’Byrne,
I have recently and very happily stumbled across your web-site. I am attempting to write an historical romance of King Diarmait of Leinster’s attempt to reclaim his throne and title of First Among Equals, and have found your explanations if castles and tribal manoeuvres to be very helpful! Many thanks for taking the trouble to enlighten us, particularly as I’ve not yet had the pleasure to visit Ireland. It is by all accounts a place apart. Any tips on 12th century castles and lifestyle would be very gratefully received!
Thank you for your kind message: I am not sure that I have any particular tips to share but wish you every success with your work. Do keep reading as there is always more to see here…
Dear Mr O’Byrne,
We are a group of DIT architectural students researching Irish planned estate villages, and preparing to publish our research. Would it be possible to contact you directly to ask about the possibility of your involvement in this publication. We have been using your great blog as a reference in our work.
Thank you,
Cian Burke
Thank you for getting in touch. I will write you an email now.
Dear Mr. O’Byrne,
I very much enjoyed your lecture at the Kimbell Art Museum last Friday evening. As a curious individual I would be very much interested in more information regarding the small group tours you mentioned. While hot water bottles are not currently in my possession, they can be in a very short time.
Regards,
Liselotte
Thank you for getting in touch and apologies for not responding sooner: I have been ‘on the road’ since then (and indeed have still to return home to Ireland). If you look at the Irish Georgian Society website (www.igs.ie) you will find information there, or else you could contact the society about its own tours. More are planned for the future, and they usually ensure that hot water bottles do not need to be packed. Please let me know how you get on, and if that resource proves unsatisfactory, revert to me and I shall do my best to make sure that you both come to Ireland and have a marvellous time while in my country. And thank you for your interest, and for coming along to the talk at the Kimbell Art Museum.
Robert
Enjoying watching “Tales of Irish Castles, and delighted to see your face and hear your voice after such a long absence!
Hello you! Indeed, long time no see/hear but hope all v good…
“Robert: Being of Irish descent (Limerick’s Dromore) I was interested to see Caze Wright’s post to you about “Tales of Irish Castles”. My problem is that I am currently in South Carolina on the way to Maine. How does one get copy of this commentary? And , as my wife in an Interior decorator, she reads, and enjoys, many of your comments about various appointments. Thank you, sir John
John K. Cowperthwaite, Jr
PO Box 2434
Beaufort, SC 29901”
Thank you for getting in touch. Honestly I don’t know how one would find that programme about Irish castles: it was made a couple of years ago, as I recall, but turns up on television stations around the world (as people periodically inform me). I guess you might try googling it to see whether it was ever released as a DVD (I don’t have it in that format…) Apologies for being so unhelpful but I hope you do manage to track it down. I assume you have read my entries here on Dromore?
Yes, thank you Robert. I did see your articles on Dromore and found them helpful for the family. I went in June for a first hand look and while historically interesting, I found it somewhat depressing.
John
For John and Robert, “Tales of Irish Castles” is available on Netflix. “Tales” is a spectacular documentary (6 episodes) that captures the romance, history and architectural beauty of Irish castles throughout the countryside. Watching the documentary is what brought me to Robert’s blog. Glad I discovered this website, love all the pictures and archeological accounts!
Thank you for getting in touch with this information: not having a television, these things are all a bit of a mystery to me! And thanks also for your kind remarks, always appreciated…
Warren: You solved the problem and I am indebted!
I have tried to locate TALES OF IRISH CASTLES on NETFLIX unsuccessfully – Would Mr. Hurley could give me more info on locating I would appreciate it. Lawrie
You MC’d beautifully at Grattan’s party last week. Wonderful occasion. We at http://www.irishlifeandlore.com recorded Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House some years ago on the more recent history of the house. If you would like to have a copy of the recording we would be pleased to get it to you. Jane O’Keeffe
Thank you, most kind (it was all done at rather short notice: MC’ing at Grattan’s that is). I should be delighted to have a copy of your recording of Myrtle A, how might one best organise that?
Hi Robert,
Would you have any information / history on a particular house in Clonee, Co. Meath – Summerseat House..
Thank you in advance
Kate
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately I don’t have any information about Summerseat – does it still exist (that whole area seems now to be housing estates)? I suggest you try the Irish Architectural Archive as there might be something there…
Hi Robert,
Yes it does indeed. My family have been living there for 20 yrs now. The housing estates are located across the road.
If you have any information it would be greatly appreccated. Or what is the best route to take can you tell me?
Thanks again.
Kate
Hmm, have you tried the Architectural Archive in Dublin? If I am in the vicinity, I might let you know and perhaps I could call to see the place?
I have yes, nobody has any real information for me so far.
Yes of course if you would like to see the house by all means give me a call and we can arrange a meet up.
Do you have my number?
No, but please don’t worry – I can contact you via your email address. In due course…
i am working on a 3d reconstruction of mallow town hall burned down in 1921
i only have exterior shots would you have any ideas on the kind of furnishings wallpapers that may have been used at this period or existing examples
starting life as a hotel then a drapers store and was used as a meeting hall ,cinema young mens society and the hart of local government
it’s going to be an animated film in the end
i can send some images
Thank you for getting in touch. Have you looked at David Skinner’s book on Irish Wallpapers 1700-1900? This might be of use to you. Also I wonder if the photographic collection of the National Library has relevant material? Finding images of interiors prior to 1900 is tricky (they were often too dark to photograph) but you should look at other relevant material in the NLI collection – such as any photographs of 19th century hotels and shop interiors – these will give you an idea of what the town hall in Mallow would have looked like. I hope this is of assistance to you.
Hello. I am working on a book about an 18th century Italian opera singer, based in London, who sang at Smock Alley in Dublin. I would love to use your image of the theatre. May I have your permission please, or do I have to obtain it somewhere else?
(P.S. I hope I have posted this request correctly, and not as an unintended answer to someone else’s thread!)
Thank you for getting in touch. It is alright to use my image provided you credit http://www.theirishaesthete.com – and let me know when the book appears please. Wishing you every success with the enterprise.
Hello there, I’m teaching on Irish family and social history in London in June, and in the U.S. in September. One class is on Griffith’s Valuation – an annual property tax levied in Ireland after 1847. I would like your permission to use the image of Rush Hill as a good example of a strong farmer’s house of the 19th Century. Would this be possible?
Thank you for getting in touch. You may use my image of Rush Hill, but do please credit the Irish Aesthete. Best wishes with your class.
Coolattin House and the Fitzwilliam Estates in Co. Wicklow? Have you ever covered them?
Thank you for getting in touch. The answer to your query is not yet, although oddly enough I was speaking of Coolattin this morning so it is on the list…
Greetings, my cousin in Chicago, Peter St George Mark, has just advised me about the publication of your new book ‘Tyrone House and the St George Family’ which I will now order and add to my collection. My great great grandfather was Christopher St George and my great grandmother was Harriet St George.
Hi Robert. Would you know where the estate papers for Glenmaroon House would have ended up if they survived ? Or was there ever a history done of the family of Arthur Ernest Guinness, and Oonagh ? I am looking for old photos and an estate map or garden layout if they survive. Many thanks in advance. Regards. Mairtin
Dear Mairtin, I have just sent you an email about this…
Ballyshannon, the oldest town in Ireland, unfortunately suffers more than most and is clearly ignored by those in power. Any town or village in Ireland would be proud to have a tenth of Ballyshannon’s history and if it were in another country the town would be protected.
Mr O’Byrne, I have been enjoying your blog. Have you ever considered compiling something similar in the field of etiquette and modern manners? You would be well placed to do so. One finds society has become somewhat immune to what constitutes appropriate polite behaviour. I believe your wisdom and wit, executed with your characteristic succinctness for conveying the facts, could deliver a useful online journal to draw attention to an area much neglected.
Thank you for getting in touch and for your suggestion. Actually I have written just such a work, albeit a few years ago but fear it made very little difference…
I had directed a parallel minded acquaintance towards your blog. I only realised recently that my recommendation had been misinterpreted: he had been following ‘The Irish atheist’! Homo stultus.
How too funny: I hope he has now been correctly directed…