LISMORE CASTLE, WITH GOTHIC REMODELLING FROM 1812

Posted by Tracy Fahey on January 07, 2008 in Guest Blog, Ms Tracey Fahey tagged with

Lismore Castle is a fine example of Irish Gothic.  Although, like many examples of Gothic revivial architecture in Ireland, it is a remodeled version of a medieval castle, Lismore is very close to the English Gothic architectural style.  Lismore came into the possesion of the 4th Duke of Devonshire in 1748, through marriage, and it was his grandson , the ‘Bachelor Duke’, 6th Duke of Devonshire who carried out substantial Gothic renovations from 1812 to 1858/  He employed a team of Gothic experts to remodel both interior and exterior including Joseph Paxton, later architect of Crystal Palace and  Augustus Welby Pugin, who spearheaded the Gothic architectural revival in England.  Of particular note is the ecclesiastical-style dining room designed by Crace and Pugin, which features a splendid wooden ceiling, specially designed wall-paper with Gothic motifs, wood-panelling and an ornamental chimney-piece.  It is really text-book Gothic, an interior which would fit in perfectly in English Gothic country houses.  The only regional note struck is in the Irish mantel carving which reads ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ (a hundred thousand welcomes).

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