New York City

Ranging from Palladian mansions to baronial castles, in recent years many of Northern Ireland’s greatest country houses have experienced a spectacular rebirth. Some of these such as Castle Coole and Mount Stewart have benefitted from careful custodianship of the National Trust and one, Hillsborough, has in recent years been designated, and extensively refurbished, as a Royal Palace. Other properties have passed into the hands of a younger generation or even new ownership, and as a result are looking superlatively beautiful.

Join Robert O’Byrne as he takes a whistlestop tour of these houses, telling the stories behind their creation and offering an opportunity to appreciate their distinctive architectural character. Robert O’Byrne is one of Ireland’s best-known authors and speakers on his country’s decorative and fine arts. A columnist with Apollo magazine, he also contributes to the The Burlington and the Irish Arts Review. Since 2012 he has produced an award-winning blog, theirishaesthete.com, which promotes the country’s architectural heritage. His latest book The Irish Aesthete: Ruins of Ireland, containing a selection of his texts and photographs, was published last spring. A former Vice-President of the Irish Georgian Society, he is currently a trustee of the Apollo Foundation. This lecture is presented in collaboration with the Royal Oak Foundation. Advance registration is required.

Additional support for New York lectures is generously provided by Dr. Leonora Ballinger, Virginia Brody, Mr. Albert Messina and Mr. Ken Jennings, Linda Pedro, Stephanie Speakerman, The Stoddart Family, John and Phillis Warden, Mr. William Lee Younger, and an Anonymous donor