Castletown House – A Display of European Architecture

Written by Ben Kesp 

Castletown House - Image: Castletown.ie 

Classified as Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian style mansions, today Castletown House is an important example of European architecture. Designed by Italian architect Allessandro Galilei and later the addition of the wings were designed by Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce. Castletown House, Co. Kildare, was built between 1722 and 1729 for William Connolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. 

Original Print Room - Image: Castletown.ie 

Lady Louisa, wife of Tom Connolly and originally from Carton House, was responsible for finishing the interior decorating of the house during the 1760s and 1770s. Additionally, Lady Louisa had extensive work carried out on the grounds. The house remained within the Connolly family until 1965. It was then purchased by a property developer however was saved in 1967 along with 120 acres of the estate by the Hon. Desmond Guinness founder of the Irish Georgian Society. One can only imagine the horrors of what might have been the fate of this magnificent building if it had not been saved. In 1994 the house was transferred without its contents to the Office of Public Works (OPW) who began a major restoration project on the house and grounds. The OPW continue to conserve the house for future generations and its importance in terms of European architectural heritage. 

Castletown House - Image: Michelin Travel

The house contains a series of grand reception rooms on the piano nobile (principal floor). The entrance hall is spacious with stucco gilding and it boasts to have one of the largest staircases in Ireland. Additionally, at this level are the Green and Red Drawing Rooms. Visitors can enjoy one of the best examples of a Print Room from this period with fully intact images. The State Bedroom contains chairs from Venice however no member of royalty stayed within Castletown. One of the most impressive rooms is the Long Gallery, an eighty-foot long room decorated in a Pompeian style in red, blue and gold. 

Long Gallery - Image: Castletown.ie 

To get more information on the house and rooms, check out its website for videos and information here.