1750 – Shell Cottage, Carton, Co. Kildare

In 1747, the 20th Earl of Kildare, later the 1st Duke of Leinster, married Lady Emily Lennox, daughter of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and great–granddaughter of King Charles II. Lady Emily played an important role in the development of the Carton demesne and decorated the Shell Cottage with shells from around the world. The centerpiece is a dome lined with thousands of tropical shells of every size – shells, crystals, sea urchins, seaweed, and bird’s eggs. The walls, windows and furniture are all patterned with shells. There are several examples of the use of shells as interior decoration, but the Shell Cottage at the Carton Estate must be one of the finest examples of its kind.