This event is designed to showcase projects undertaken to conserve follies in County Down by the Follies Trust. We will be visiting the Moorish Tower at Castlewellan Forest Park, the Lord Limerick Follies at Bryansford, the Bathing House at Ardglass and the Pig Crews at Rossglass. More details can be found here.
Category Archives: Events 2016-17
We will be visiting Co. Wicklow on 8th July 2017. The outing will take in Kilruddery House, Knockanree garden, the Howard mausoleum at Kilbride and Dunbur Head Lighthouse. More details can be found here.
The trust enjoyed a very successful trip to Tipperary visiting some fascinating sites. You can read a report of the Folly Jolly here.
01
Apr
Apr
This outing was a great success. Please see photos below:
At this years autumn lectures we will be launching our latest publication ‘A Decade of Follies – the first ten years of the Follies Trust (2006-2016)’:
Thursday 6 October at 6pm: Follies as Landscapes by Willie Cumming in Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Thursday 13 October at 7.30pm: in Irish Linen Centre/Lisburn Museum
More details here.
10
Jun
Jun
The weekend began on Friday 10 June at the Temple of Mercury, Dromoland Castle. In addition we spent time in the walled garden which has located within the former gateway from Leamaneh Castle . This structure is dated 1643 and was erected by Conor O’Brien and his wife the legendary Maire Rua. A branch of the O’Brien family owned Dromoland Castle and in c.1740 Sir Edward O’Brien had a gazebo erected from where he could watch his horses training.We looked across the fields at this delightful structure which was probably designed by John Aheron an eccentric Irish architect.
During the weekend we visited Ardnacraa well and O’Brien’s column at Liscannor and saw work in progress at the latest Follies Trust project as well as visiting the Cliffs of Moher (see Current & Future Projects).
On Sunday we went to Kilfenora to see the Cathedral and High Crosses. Then to Lisdoonvarna; outside Lisdoonvarna is the Spectacle bridge (NIAH 20300111) erected in 1875, ‘an elegant solution to the spanning of a deep river gorge by County Surveyor, John Hill’. From Lisdoonvarna we travelled up the coast past the beautiful beach at Fanore to Black Head lighthouse (NIAH 20400105). This square plan single bay two-storey lighthouse with a metal-framed glazed lantern was erected 1935-40. It has a flat concrete roof, rendered walls and a timber matchboard door set in a concrete plinth. Following the R477 we stopped at an interesting roadside well, Tobercornan, which once functioned as a main water supply for Ballyvaughan in time of drought.
The visit to County Clare was based at Inchiquin House which is managed by the Irish Landmark Trust. Everyone was able to dine at the house on both Friday and Sunday nights. On Friday we were joined by Conservation Officer for County Clare, Dick Cronin, and on Sunday night by Dr David Fleming, Chair of the Irish Georgian Society and his wife Kerrie.
01
May
May
On a beautiful sunny day 38 supporters of the Follies Trust visited County Westmeath. At Belvedere they were graciously received by the Council and guided by their Education Officer, Brigid Geoghan, after delicious coffee and scones in the Courtyard. They visited the Jealous Wall and viewed the Gothic arch and Gazebo designed by Thomas Wright.
Then they travelled to Tullynally Castle where they had a conducted tour of the house and gardens with Thomas Pakenham. The sun shone and seeing the house, grotto and gardens with such an expert guide was a very special treat.
In the afternoon we travelled to Kilbixy church and saw the church and Malone mausoleum both designed by the famous English architect, James Wyatt.
Our thanks to everyone who made this such a wonderful visit but particularly to Bernadette Solon, Conservation Officer for County Westmeath.
Nicholas Robinson, a founder, first chairman and current president of the Irish Landmark Trust, speaking to the Follies Trust on “LANDMARKS AND LANDMARKERS: The Work of the Irish Landmark Trust”, in the Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 at 6pm on Tuesday 23 February 2016.