May 23, 2015 - May 30, 2015
Inspired by the architecture of Inigo Jones, who was the first to establish the Palladian style in 17th century England, followed by Lord Burlington, William Kent, Colen Campbell and other early 18th century English architects, Ireland at the same time developed its own dramatic Palladian movement starting with the new façade for the country house, Castletown, designed by Allessandro Galilei in 1719. He provided details that reflected Palladio’s villas in the Veneto, such as colonnaded connections that linked the main building to end pavilions.
The leading architect of Palladian country houses in Ireland was Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, who provided interior details at Castletown among other work. He developed a style that combined baroque inventiveness, movement and boldness with the somberness of the English Palladian style. These and other outstanding Irish Palladian country houses will be viewed during this tour that is sponsored by Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
The tour begins in Northern Ireland with a two-night stay at the privately owned Ballywalter Park, an Italianate Palazzo built in 1846 and now the family home of Lord Dunleath, along with a two-night stay at Belle Isle Castle, home of Lord Nicholas Hamilton. The tour concludes in the Republic of Ireland with a three night stay at the five-star Merrion Hotel, located in the heart of Dublin. Visits to nearly twenty Irish houses and significant buildings, including more than ten privately owned and rarely seen.
This exclusive tour is led by Lani Summerville of Classical Excursions who has organized four previous tours to Northern Ireland and the Republic, together with Mark Donnelly.
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