Powerscourt House
Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Reg. No: 16400717
Date: 1730 - 1740
Townland: Powerscourt Demesne
County: Co. Wicklow
Special Interest: Architectural, Artistic, Archaeological, Social
Rating: International
Original Use: Country House
In Use As: Heritage Centre/ Interpretative Centre
Additional Use: Shop/ Retail Outlet
Description
Detached multiple-bay part three-storey, part two-storey and part one-storey Palladian style former mansion, built 1731-40 to designs by Richard Castle, now in use as a visitors centre with gift shops. The house was extensively damaged by fire in 1974. It is constructed in granite. The central three-storey block is joined by single-storey links to two-storey wings. The central section is nine-bay with a five-bay pedimented break front and the two-storey wings are each four-bay. The first and second floors of the central bay are articulated with giant order Ionic pilasters; busts of roman emperors replace windows to the second floor. The composition is finished with curved walls which incorporate tall pedimented arched gateways and tall obelisks which carry eagles, the Wingfield crest. The house was constructed around the remains of an earlier castle and this causes the garden front to be slightly asymmetrical. To the south-east the garden front overlooks a formal garden and a lake; this has the Great Sugar Loaf mountain as a back drop. To the south is the Italian garden which incorporates many fine features including decorative gates and hot houses.
Appraisal
One of the most impressive Palladian mansions in the country. Despite the loss of much of the interior of the entire central section the house is still a most important national asset.
Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow - Courtesy of the NIAH
Windows and design details at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Windows and design details at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow - Courtesy of the NIAH
Gates in the gardens at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Gates in the gardens at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow - Courtesy of the NIAH
Columned room in Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Columned room in Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow - Courtesy of the NIAH
Stairs at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of the NIAH
Stairs at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow - Courtesy of the NIAH
Upload to this page
Add your photos, text, videos, etc. to this page.
Map Search
Content
History & Heritage
- History of Ireland
- Architecture
- Big Houses of Ireland
- Built Heritage 1700 - Today
- Folklore of Ireland
- Heritage Towns
- Irish Genealogy
- Monuments & Built Heritage
- Pages in History
- Poor Law Union
- Special Collections
- Traditional Crafts