1820 – Killruddery, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Architect: Sir Richard Morrison, William Slater, William Burn

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Now a lot smaller than at completion after the Earl of Meath demolished most of the entrance front in the 1950s when the building was discovered to be infested with dry-rot. Originally designed by Sir Richard Morrison for the 10th Earl onto an existing 17th century house.

The house had three principal facades with pointed and cuvilinear gables, pinnacles and oriels. Later dutch gable and oriel windows on the south front added by English architect William Slater in 1862, who was working on a church in Bray at this time. It is now considerably smaller but much of the Morrisons’ design and architecture still remain. The conservatory was added in 1852 to the design of William Burn.

From J.P. Neale in his Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, Volume IV 1821 “Considerable additions and improvements have been lately made to the House by Messrs Morrison to whom much is due for the good taste of introducing into their native country a style of architecture before unknown in it and which peculiarly harmonizes with the picturesque character of the country, and it now presents a most interesting representation of the buildings of the Elizabethan period. Its numerous bower windows which can never be introduced with propriety into the edifices of more classic design, the variety of ornamented pinnacles, and the curiously carved gables happily and correctly adapted, while they display the superior taste of the architect give the greatest possible idea of magnificence and splendour to the edifice which is large and sumptuous containing every accommodation requisite to the rank of its noble proprietor. “

Published June 15, 2010 | Last Updated February 13, 2024