{"id":342702,"date":"2024-09-23T12:35:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T16:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/blog-api\/?p=342702"},"modified":"2024-09-23T12:35:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T16:35:17","slug":"inside-irelands-grand-country-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-irelands-grand-country-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Ireland\u2019s Grand Country Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"

From storied castles to rural retreats, Irish heritage homes are being preserved and renewed, writes Victoria Woodcock<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>The entrance hall at Summergrove<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Robert O\u2019Byrne has made a career out of wangling his way into incredible homes. \u201cMy life is going around visiting people, whether they want me there or not,\u201d jokes the author and lecturer, whose interest in Irish architectural heritage has generated numerous books\u2014including 2009\u2019s \u201cRomantic Irish Homes\u201d\u2014and a popular blog, \u201cThe Irish Aesthete.\u201d He says he knows most of Ireland\u2019s stately homeowners.<\/span><\/p>\n

O\u2019Byrne\u2019s little black book has now been mined for a handsome new tome. <\/span>\u201cThe Irish Country House: A New Vision\u201d<\/span><\/a> (Rizzoli) documents 15 exceptional properties, ranging from castles to villas, across an array of periods and architectural styles.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is the stately Summergrove in County Laois, in the heart of the country, with its elegant facade of Venetian and Diocletian windows and interior features such as pedimented doorcases and rococo plasterwork. In County Longford, the Georgian-era Castlecor House includes an octagonal hunting lodge, complete with Corinthian columns, a four-sided fireplace and 19th-century neo-Egyptian stencil work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The music room at Killua Castle<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The history of Killua Castle, meanwhile\u2014situated one hour outside Dublin\u2014charts how a classical mansion was transformed into a neo-Gothic fortress, and later from wreck to renovation. The process was overseen by the banker Allen Sangin\u00e9s-Krause and his wife Lorena, who have also filled the home with their collection of medieval and early Renaissance art.<\/span><\/p>\n

Killua highlights a unifying theme in the book: all the properties have been chosen to counter the image of Ireland\u2019s grand houses as in decay. \u201cIt\u2019s a narrative going back hundreds of years that the Irish country house is on the verge of collapse,\u201d says O\u2019Byrne. \u201cVery often one tends to overplay the decaying, the falling down, the lapsing into ruin.\u201d With this new book, however, he wants to \u201ctell a positive story,\u201d adding that there are \u201cwonderful properties all over Ireland that are being rescued and restored.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The living room at Killoughter<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

How the new homeowners are reviving the interiors\u2014from reinstating four-poster beds to adding hand-printed reproduction wallpaper\u2014is an intriguing part of the story, told visually by photographer Luke White. The 18th-century villa Killoughter, for instance, is enlivened with Irish landscape paintings, hand-colored prints of Dublin and antique wood carvings from the workshop of Dutch sculptor Grinling Gibbons, collected by the owner, former banker and businessman Sir David Davies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Davies is also the president of the Irish Georgian Society, whose aim is to \u201cconserve, protect and foster an interest and a respect for Ireland\u2019s architectural heritage.\u201d This book shows how dedicated individuals are bringing such an endeavor to life by reimagining the country\u2019s landmarks, and making them newly relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photographs by Luke White<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Look for your own perfect country home in Ireland \u2013 <\/span><\/i>explore listings here<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From storied castles to rural retreats, Irish heritage homes are being preserved and renewed, writes Victoria Woodcock The entrance hall at Summergrove Robert O\u2019Byrne has made a career out of wangling his way into incredible homes. \u201cMy life is going around visiting people, whether they want me there or not,\u201d jokes the author and lecturer, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64295786,"featured_media":342707,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1399],"tags":[1452],"class_list":["post-342702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","tag-ireland"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1r9s","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":344020,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/luxury-real-estate-headlines-final-week-in-may-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":342702,"position":0},"title":"Luxury Real Estate Headlines: Final Week in May, 2025","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"May 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Homes in the News Kilbrittain, Ireland | Lisney Sotheby's International Realty Robb Report Coolmain Castle in Ireland, Once Rented by Disney, Lists for Sale Coolmain Castle, a centuries-old fortress in Kilbrittain, Ireland, is on the market. Previously rented by Walt Disney, the castle offers historic charm, coastal views, and a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-2.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345626,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sense-and-sellability-dreamy-jane-austen-style-properties\/","url_meta":{"origin":342702,"position":1},"title":"Sense and Sellability: Dreamy Jane Austen-Style Properties","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"December 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The author\u2019s 250th anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate the Regency era\u2019s elegant design cues, writes Florence Hallett Worcestershire, England | United Kingdom Sotheby\u2019s International Realty \u201cTo sit in idleness over a good fire in a well-proportioned room is a luxurious sensation,\u201d Jane Austen once wrote to her sister,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Home in New York, New York","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Austen_NewYork1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":342835,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/art-deco-makes-an-elegant-comeback\/","url_meta":{"origin":342702,"position":2},"title":"Art Deco Makes an Elegant Comeback","author":"SIR Admin","date":"October 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The glamorous, decadent aesthetic of the 1920s and 1930s is enjoying a welcome revival, writes Claudia Baillie London, England |\u00a0United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty There aren\u2019t many artists who encapsulate the essence of art deco as magnificently as Tamara de Lempicka\u2014and this fall, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/London-art-deco.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/London-art-deco.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/London-art-deco.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/London-art-deco.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346491,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/color-chart-the-joys-of-a-classic-green-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":342702,"position":3},"title":"Color Chart: The Joys of a Classic Green Home\u00a0","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"April 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Green lends itself to older properties, thanks to its historic links, writes Jill Krasny Leinster, Ireland | Lisney Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Some homes make a lasting impression while others quickly fade from the mind. The design scheme is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"hallway with green velvet enclosed sitting area and green wallpaper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Green_London1.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":341254,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/new-and-notable-homes-for-sale-over-10-million-april-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":342702,"position":4},"title":"New and Notable Homes for Sale Over $10 Million: April, 2024","author":"SIR Admin","date":"April 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"From a luxurious estate in Dublin, Ireland to a waterfront tour-de-force in West Vancouver, Canada, these are this month\u2019s five featured notable properties for sale over US$10 Million. 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But occasionally\u2014every once upon a time\u2014they\u2019re listed as properties for purchase. 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