powerscourthouse before the fire

@ake wrote:

Does anyone have or know where to find pictures of Powerscourt House interiors before the fire?

Have only ever managed to find exterior shots..

There is a picture of the Salone on page 235 of Mark Bence-Jones’ Guide to irish Country Houses, published by Constable in 1996

I think I have some here in the books…. will look over next few days….

Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by the Irish Arch. Archives has two photos of the interior taken in 1970

There’s a full set of interior photos in Irish Country Houses and Gardens: From the Archives of Country Life by Sean O’Reilly. And also in Irish Houses and Castles by Desmond Guinness and William Ryan (1971 edition – not the Jacqueline O’Brien one).

And take a look at Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon in which the saloon at Powerscourt doubles as the interior of a German Baroque palace.

What a tragedy that these interiors were lost. This was one of the most spectacular country house interiors in Ireland.

thanks all-

by the way, does anyone happen to know the visitor status of Carton House- I know it’s been shamelessly turned into a golf course- is it open to the public like Castletown?

Yes Carton House & Carton House Htoel both opened to the public during the summer of 2006.

The main gradn rooms of the house inlcuding the Gold Saloon, barrelled ceiling dining room, kitchen, drawing room, library, duke’s study, chinese bedroom and entrance hall open to all to visit.

Restoration standard is excellent- combination of conserving the historical features together with the use of high class modern furnishings.

Only disappointment is a glass lift inserted into the cantilevered main staircase that does not work.

No sign of the museum that was promised I believe as part of the planning permission yet.

Also does anyone no the plans for the Shell Cottage, which is currently hidden away from public view (par the golfers of course!)