Coolgreen, Brennanstown Road, Dublin 18

by jenjunebugMarch 18, 2025March 18, 2025

Coolgreen, Brennanstown Road, Dublin 18, D18C5K3 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald March 2025, €2,695,000

*Coolgreen, Brennanstown Road, Dublin 18, courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald March 2025*.

4 Bed

3 Bath

254 m²

Coolgreen is an elegant, historic home, offering exceptional privacy and charm, with generous gardens totaling approx. 0.4 of an acre, close to the Luas and with easy access to the M50. Coolgreen comes to the market with a stunning interior totalling approx 254 Sq.m. abundant reception space and family sized bedrooms that all combine to captivate.

The design of Coolgreen is attributed to Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen (1863-1938), the architect synonymous with the Arts & Crafts style that heavily influenced the design of homes built in Foxrock and Carrickmines at the turn of the last century.

In addition to its architectural significance, Coolgreen is a historic Irish home, built c.1900 for Sir Edward O’Farrell KCB (1857-1926), Estate Commissioner of Ireland.

Coolgreen has been recently and lovingly renovated by its present owners and retains a wealth of period features to include fine fireplaces, exposed beams, original joinery, bay windows with seating areas, making the most of the wonderful southerly aspect. Additional features that the current owners have added are solid oak floors and period radiators from Victorian Salvage, custom woodwork, cabinetry and wardrobes by Newtown Woodworks, and a fine bespoke Newcastle Design kitchen.

The property has also been completely re wired and re plumbed with a gas-fired central heating system. The property will suit a variety of discerning buyers with elegantly proportioned, light-filled and adaptable accommodation throughout and all positioned within walking distance of every local amenity. Internally the property is warm and inviting with a wonderful balance of living and sleeping accommodation.

The ground floor comprises of a generous and welcoming reception hall with gallery landing above. Three wonderful reception rooms, each with its own unique character, open off the hall – the spacious dual aspect drawing room with south facing bay, the cozy library / study with direct access to the garden and the warm stylish family room with south and west views over the gardens and the hills beyond. There is a large kitchen/dining room featuring a bespoke Newcastle Design kitchen with generous Island, a separate comms room, understairs storage and a well-appointed guest cloakroom which completes the ground floor accommodation.

On the first floor we have a spacious gallery landing with Velux windows and a generous main family bathroom off the return: the attractive stained-glass door was once the main hall door of the house. The principal bedroom features a sun drenched south facing aspect and a bespoke ensuite shower room with built in wardrobes. There are three other generous bedrooms some with dual aspect and again featuring bespoke built-in wardrobes. a large laundry room is also at this level.

In addition, positioned off the large private and sunny patio / BBQ area accessed directly from the Kitchen / dining area is a spacious annex which has been beautifully constructed matching the architecture of the main house with a coastal-themed interior and cedar shingle walls and roof – currently used as a gym, but could suit a variety of uses including home office. There is also an additional garage / store to the front also designed to match the profiling and tiled roof and tile-clad walls of the main house. The gardens are truly exceptional, totalling 0.4 of an acre, with the house positioned in the middle of the grounds allowing light to flood the home from every direction.

To the front there are manicured flowerbeds featuring mature planting and specimen trees. There are also large mature pines and native trees. There are electric gates with cut stone pillars with terracotta caps leading to a generous gravel drive with cobble lock edging and ample off-street parking. There are wide side gardens which are very private and mature, To the east there are mature lawned grounds with well planted borders and a natural stone patio. To the rear, which is south facing, there are mature lawns and wonderful planted borders with a mix of raised and ground level beds. To the south west, positioned off the Kitchen, there is a large natural stone patio, the spacious annex, a BBQ area and built in cut stone fireplace. ideal for long summer evenings. This side of the garden also features plenty of mature flowering plants, shrubs and trees.

Ideally located on leafy Brennanstown Road within a short stroll of Foxrock and Cabinteely villages and their trendy eateries, chic boutiques and popular coffee shops. The Park shopping plaza is nearby with a wide selection of shops and restaurants. Sporting and leisure facilities include, Carrickmines Golf Club, Carrickmines Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, Leopardstown and Foxrock Golf clubs, Westwood and Leopardstown Racecourse, Cabinteely Park with its acres of parkland offer many recreational facilities including a large children’s playground. There is a wide choice of Primary and Secondary schools nearby including the well reputed St Brigid’s boys and St Brigid’s girls primary schools with a wealth of choice for secondary schools close by including Loreto Foxrock, Lycée Francois, Wesley College, Blackrock College, CBC Monkstown, Mount Anville and the highly regarded International school Nord Anglia. The nearby Luas, M50 and N11 provide excellent transport links to the city. Reception Hall Double doors from Victorian Salvage, with antique door furniture, lead to the impressive reception hall. Solid oak floors, Victorian Salvage radiators. Wainscot panelling and original ceiling coving. Inset lighting. The imposing pitch pine original staircase with its sturdy bannisters and balustrades leads to the return and main gallery landing on the first floor. There is also a large west facing window to the end of the hall providing excellent light. Guest Cloakroom Solid oak floors and period radiator. Wc and Burlington antique wall mounted wash hand basin with chrome towel rail. Inset lights and extractor. Drawing room Elegant, spacious and bright, this gracious reception room features solid oak floors, a dual aspect overlooking the side and rear gardens. A wonderful bay window with window seat and storage faces south and floods the room with natural light. Bespoke cabinetry and shelving. Attractive cast iron fireplace with brick surround, slate hearth and solid fuel cast iron stove. Eichholtz chandelier. Family room Another warm and stylish reception room with a sunny south and west dual aspect overlooking the grounds. Orpen style beamed ceiling, timber panelled walls and bespoke cabinetry and shelving. Solid oak floors and period radiators, original ceiling coving and attractive open fireplace. Eichholtz chandelier. Library / Study A third cozy reception room featuring solid oak floors, period radiators with dual aspect overlooking the front of the property and the easterly side garden. Double french doors lead to the gardens. Original ceiling cornice. Timber panelling and built-in bespoke shelving and storage. Fireplace with tiled inset and timber mantle, slate hearth and coal effect gas fire. Inset lights and spot lighting. Kitchen / dining area Step down from the hall to the spacious kitchen / dining area. Door to understairs storage. Door to separate plant room with modern hot water tank, dual gas boilers etc. Spacious, bright and beautiful fitted kitchen / dining room. With windows on three sides and windows and double doors out to the west patio. Bespoke Newcastle Design kitchen in New England style and large functional island unit offering plenty of storage, seating area and open shelving and wine rack. Polished granite worktops. Extensive wall and floor units with larder etc. Built-in stainless steel Ilve range with six ring gas hob and extractor. Built in Miele dishwasher and Liebherr double fridge with freezer. 1.5 stainless steel sink unit. The kitchen also features a large glass fronted dresser which is another attractive feature. Upstairs A return landing has steps to the family bathroom and also to the main gallery landing. This landing is bright with a Velux window over and attic access. The ceilings are partly vaulted which adds character and charm throughout the first floor. The stairs also feature wainscot panelled walls. Inset lights. Principal bedroom suite Very bright and spacious main bedroom with large south facing window with garden aspect. Range of bespoke built in wardrobes. Attractive part vaulted ceiling. Ensuite Ensuite shower room with porcelain tiled floor. Large step in shower, fully tiled with watering can shower head. Chrome heated towel rail, Modern Wc and wash hand basin set in vanity unit with plenty of storage and marble work top. Wall mounted lights and inset lights. Bedroom Two Another very spacious room with south facing windows commanding views of the mature trees, garden and surrounding hills. Part vaulted ceiling. Bedroom Three A third fine double room with dual aspect. Built in bespoke wardrobes and shelving with drawers. Bedroom four A most attractive bedroom with excellent bespoke built in wardobes, shelving and drawers. A lovely bedroom full of character. Laundry room Sliding door from the landing leads to this good sized practical laundry room which is plumbed for washing machine and has space for a drier. There is additional shelving and a drying rail. Family Bathroom Positioned off the return with an attractive stained glass door that was once the main hall door to the house. Solid oak floors, period radiator and wall mounted heater. Wc and large oval wash hand basin set in vanity unit with marble top and wall mounted mirror and lights. Deep set bath with fully tiled surround and shower over with watering can shower head. Outside Approached via electric gates with most attractive, cut stone circular pillars with terracotta tile caps the front garden features plenty of off-street parking for numerous cars on the immaculate gravel driveway with cobblelock borders, well stocked and pristine flower beds featuring neat box hedges and a variety of older, more mature and specimen trees including wonderful, mature magnolia, beech, pine and native trees. The garden has feature lighting and two mature lawned areas. There is a most attractive storage shed to the front with pitched and tiled roof mirroring the architectural design of the main house Attention to detail is evident throughout Coolgreen both inside and out. Dual side gates lead to the two side gardens and to the rear. Coolgreen is positioned in the middle of its generous site and as a result features wide side gardens on both sides of the property, providing access to the sun all throughout the day. To the east side of the house, we have mature hedging, providing privacy from the front garden and an attractive sandstone patio, which gets wonderful sunshine all day long. The garden is fully walled and not overlooked. Mature lawns surround the property on three sides with neat well stocked, raised and ground level flowerbeds featuring mature, specimen, trees, shrubs, flowering plants and bushes. The rear of the house faces due south and features a sunny gravel patio area. To the west side of the house we have two large wonderful outdoor entertaining spaces which feature a mix of gravel and natural stone patio areas. This area is very private and features wonderful, mature trees, an attractive stone fireplace and aviary. Annex: This most attractive flexible room has again been beautifully designed to match the architectural design of the main house. Currently used as a gym but could be used as a study, etc. The interior is finished in a coastal style with timber walls, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and floors all painted white with electricity points and electric lighting. There are double glass panel doors to the patio leading across to the kitchen.

Property Features

Wonderful detached Orpen residence beautifully presented throughout.
Mature private grounds which are very private and feature a sunny south aspect to the rear.
Many original period features.
Attractive Victorian Salvage radiators and solid oak floors Bespoke joinery, cabinetry and wardrobes by Newtown Woodworks.
Stunning generous bespoke Newcastle Design kitchen. Three individual additional reception rooms
Four generous bedrooms, one ensuite
Property has been re wired and re plumbed
Gas fired central heating
Additional annex currently used as a gym and separate garage / store
Electric gates and ample off-street parking for up to 6 cars Close to all amenities including M50 and Luas

https://www.buildingsofirelan d.ie/b uildings-search/building/60260225/coolgreen-brennanstown-road-brenanstown-co-dublin

Detached three-bay two-storey house, built 1900; occupied 1901, on a U-shaped plan with single-bay two-storey gabled advanced (east) or single-bay two-storey projecting (west) end bays centred on single-bay single-storey lean-to projecting porch. Sold, 2011. Pitched terracotta tile roof on a U-shaped plan with pitched (gabled) or pitched terracotta tile roofs (end bays); lean-to terracotta tile roof (porch), terracotta ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta tapered or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, timber bargeboards to gables, sprocketed eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on box eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Gritdashed roughcast walls on rendered plinth; slate hung surface finish (first floor) with gritdashed roughcast surface finish to gables. Square-headed central door opening with concealed dressings framing timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers. Square-headed window openings with carved timber sills, and timber surrounds framing timber casement windows. Set in landscaped grounds with tuck pointed rubble granite cylindrical piers to perimeter having slate or terracotta tile mosaic conical capping.

Appraisal

A house representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of south County Dublin with the architectural value of the composition, one attributed to Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen (1863-1938) owing to similarities with his own house at nearby Coologe (see 60260211), suggested by such attributes as the compact plan form; the diminishing in scale of the multipartite openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roofline. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, thus upholding the character or integrity of a house having historic connections with Sir Edward O’Farrell KCB (1857-1926), Estate Commissioner of Ireland (Whitakers Peerage Baronetage Knightage and Comanionage for 1921 1921, 725); and his son Second Lieutenant Archibald Hugh O’Farrell (1899-1918) of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards (cf. 60260180; 60260242).

Ballintaggart, Colbinstown, Co. Kildare

by jenjunebugMarch 3, 2025March 4, 2025

Ballintaggart, Colbinstown, Co. Kildare

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 19. “(Bonham/IFR) A gabled late C19 house rather like a Scotch lodge, added 1893-4 to a plain early C19 house with a Wyatt window by Col John Bonham, whose architect is said to have been Richard Orpen, brother of Sir William Orpen, the painter. Of limestone random ashlar; high gable at one side, small dormer-gables near it; some window mullions of stone, others of wood’ porch with pointed gables and finial.”

Not in National Inventory

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/newman-pays-over-13m-for-kildare-mansion-1.1027015

Newman pays over €13m for Kildare mansion

Thu, Jul 6, 2006, 01:00

Sale of the Week Property man Paul Newman has paid top money for a country house in Kildare, writes Frances O’Rourke

Property guru Paul Newman has bought Ballintaggart House and stud farm, a large period house on 165 acres at Colbinstown, Co Kildare, for around €13 million. He finalised the deal a few days after the property was withdrawn at auction last week by agent Pat O’Hagan of HOK.

Mr Newman – chairman of estate agency Douglas Newman Good and a director of property development companies in Ireland and the UK – will move into Ballintaggart House from his home in Ballymore Eustace, Co Wicklow.

The flamboyant property man is the biggest shareholder in MyHome.ie, the successful property search engine which is likely to be sold shortly.

The boss of Douglas Newman Good moved into property development about 10 years ago when Chesterbridge Developments, a consortium owned by Newman, Michael Whelan and Paul Hanby, bought Sherriff Street flats and redeveloped the area as Custom House Quay.

Currently, Newman and Hanby’s Tenbury Developments is to build 743 homes in Newcastle, Co Wicklow: the major residential scheme was recently given the go-ahead by South Dublin County Council.

And Tenbury’s eco-friendly development in Northampton, England, won Newman plaudits from Prince Charles earlier this year: the new homes scheme was built in co-operation with Prince Charles’s Prince’s Trust charity. His company Paul Newman New Homes has recently built a commercial/residential developments in Milton Keynes in the UK. In Ireland, Newman and Paul Hanby also own 50 per cent of McDonagh Junction shopping centre being built in Kilkenny.

Ballintaggart House is an 18th century Gothic revival property on 165 acres: the family motto, carved in stone above the entrance to the 652sq m (7,000sq ft) main house, can roughly be translated as “Live A Good Life”. And there is every chance to do that in this property, which includes nine large bedrooms, a stately drawingroom and a diningroom that seats 14.

Outside, there is a walled Victorian garden with a gardener’s apartment, a tennis court, cut-stone steward’s house and a restored gamekeeper’s cottage as well as outhouses and 28 looseboxes. Richard and Annie O’Toole, the owners of Ballintaggart, have retained almost 100 acres which form part of the estate.

Courtown, Kilcock, County Kildare

by jenjunebugFebruary 16, 2025March 5, 2025

Courtown, Kilcock, County Kildare

p. 93. “(Aylmer/IFR; Drummond, sub Perth, E/PB; O’Brien, Bt/PB) A plain two storey house of ca 1815, built by John Aylmer to replace the earlier house here, which was burned and looted 1798 during the ownership of his father, Michael Aylmer, who had been unable to rebuilt it, not having received sufficient compensation from the state. Five bay front, with strip pilasters. Much enlarged ca 1900 by J.A. Aylmer, who added a wing at right angles to the original block to form a new entrance front, with a three sided bow and an open porch, at one side of a pedimented projection; containing, among other rooms, a hall with a massive oak staircase. Beech avenue, half a mile long. Sold 1947 by J.W. Aylmer to George Drummond; recently the home of Mr and Mrs John O’Brien.”

Not in national inventory

h ttps://landedfamilies.blogspot.com/search/label/Ireland?updated-max=2017-10-31T17:52:00Z&max-results=20&start=19&by-date=false

Courtown Park, Kilcock, Co. Kildare

A castle on a green field

Description automatically generated

The house is approached by a beech avenue, half a mile long. It is now a plain two-storey house of c.1815, built by John Aylmer to replace an earlier house here, which was burned and looted in 1798 during the ownership of his father, Michael Aylmer, who had been unable to rebuild it because he received insufficient compensation from the state. It has a five-bay front with strip pilasters. The house was much enlarged by Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen in 1906 for Major J.A. Aylmer, who added a wing at right-angles to the original block to form a new entrance front, with a three-sided bow and an open porch, at one side of a pedimented projection. The new wing contains, among other rooms, a hall with a massive oak staircase.

Descent: sold c.1792 to Michael Aylmer (1750-1828?); to son, John Aylmer (1783/4-1857); to son, Michael Henry Aylmer (1831-85); to son, Maj. John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924); to son, Maj. John Wyndham Aylmer (1889-1953), who sold 1947 to George Drummond… occupied in the 1950s by the American film producer, John Huston and his daughter Anjelica;… Mr. & Mrs. John O’Brien (fl. c.1980); sold 1981 to Brendon O’Mahoney; sold 2015 to Luke Comer.

Aylmer family of Ballycannon, Courtown and Kerdiffstown

Aylmer, John (d. 1632). Youngest son of Thomas Aylmer (c.1541-87) of Lyons and his wife Alison, daughter of Thomas Cusack of Cussingtown, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He married, 1605, Eleanor Hussey of Moyle Hussey and had issue:
(1) Matthew Aylmer (b. 1606) (q.v.);
(2) George Aylmer (c.1608-after 1624); born about 1608; died unmarried after 1624;
(3) Robert Aylmer (c.1610-after 1624); born about 1610; married Katherine, daughter of Piers Power of Monalargie and had issue one son; died after 1624;
(4) Bartholomew Aylmer (c.1613-before 1681); born about 1613; died before 1681;
(5) Richard Aylmer;
(6) Ellice Aylmer (d. 1684); married Gerald Dillon of Killynin (Westmeath); died 28 September 1684;
(7) Cicely Aylmer;
(8) Alison Aylmer.
He probably inherited Ballycannon, Cloncurry from his father in 1587.
He died 26 or 27 June 1632. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Matthew (b. 1606). Eldest son of John Aylmer (d. 1632) of Ballycannon and his wife Eleanor Hussey of Moyle Hussey, born 1606. He participated in the rebellion of 1641. He married, 20 February 1624, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wogan of Rathcoffey (Kildare) and had issue:
(1) John Aylmer (1626-1702) (q.v.).
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1632.
His date of death is unknown. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (1626-1702). Only recorded son of Matthew Aylmer (b. 1606) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wogan of Rathcoffey (Kildare), born 1626. He was perhaps the first member of this branch of the family to conform to the Protestant religion. He married and had issue:
(1) Col. John Aylmer (c.1652-1705) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Aylmer (c.1654-c.1717), born about 1654; married Bridget [surname unknown] and had issue two sons and four daughters; died about 1717;
(3) Matthew Aylmer (b. c.1656); born about 1656;
(4) Thomas Aylmer (b. c.1658); born about 1658;
(5) Alice Aylmer; married, 1707, William Humphreys of Hollywood (Wicklow).
He inherited Ballycannon from his father.
He died in 1702.

Aylmer, Col. John (c.1652-1705). Eldest son of John Aylmer (1626-1702) and his wife, born about 1652. An officer in the Army from c.1682 (Capt. by 1687; Col. by 1690). High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1680-85; MP for Naas, 1692-93; Sovereign (i.e. Mayor) of Naas, 1694; Deputy Governor of Co. Kildare, 1699. He married, 1678 (settlement 16 November), Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bear Court (Berks), and had issue:
(1) John Aylmer (d. 1708) (q.v.);
(2) Thomas Aylmer (b. c.1682), born about 1682; became a Roman Catholic and was cut out of his father’s will on that account; died in France;
(3) Charles Aylmer (d. 1754) (q.v.);
(4) Andrew Aylmer (b. c.1687), born about 1687; died without issue;
(5) James Aylmer (b. c.1690), born about 1690; died without male issue;
(6) Matthew Aylmer (b. c.1693), born about 1693; married and had issue;
(7) Dorothy Aylmer; married [forename unknown] Greville;
(8) Elizabeth Aylmer;
(9) Cecily Aylmer;
(10) Lydia Aylmer;
(11) Alice Aylmer;
(12) Anne Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1702.
He died in 1705, leaving a will dated 22 March 1704/5 which was proved later that year. His widow married 2nd, George Aylmer; her date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (d. 1708). Eldest son of Col. John Aylmer (d. 1705) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bear Court (Berks), born about 1680. He married, 1705, Mary, daughter of Thomas Whyte of Pitchfordstown (Kildare) and had issue:
(1) Martha Aylmer (b. 1706);
(1) John Aylmer (1707-12), born 1707; inherited the Ballycannon estate from his father in 1708, but died young, 26 July 1712.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in about 1705. After his death it passed to his only son and then to his brother Charles Aylmer (d. 1754).
He died 15 September 1708. His widow married 2nd, Francis Glascock of Dublin; her date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Charles (c.1685-1754). Third son of Col. John Aylmer (d. after 1705) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Breedon of Bearecourt, born about 1685. High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1725. He married [forename unknown], daughter of Col. Gerard Crosbie, and had issue:
(1) Charles Aylmer (c.1715-c.1772) (q.v.);
(2) John Aylmer (c.1718-before 1754), born about 1718; predeceased his father;
(3) Mary Aylmer (fl. 1776); married, 24 December 1759 at St Michael, Dublin, John Bury (d. 1804?) of Dublin, notary public, and of Downings (Kildare), and had issue four sons and three daughters.
He inherited Ballycannon from his nephew in 1712.
He died 5/6 May 1754. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, Charles (c.1715-c.1772). Elder son of Charles Aylmer (c.1685-1754) of Ballycannon and his wife, born about 1715. He married, 11 September 1749, Eleanor (d. 1781), daughter of James Tyrrell of Clonard (Kildare), and had issue:
(1) Michael Aylmer (c.1750-c.1810) (q.v.);
(2) Charles Aylmer (d. 1776); died unmarried, March 1776;
(3) Richard Aylmer (b. c.1752); married, September 1772, Eliza, daughter of Admiral Richard Norris, and had issue two sons;
(4) Bridget Aylmer; married, 9 October 1775, Thomas Cannon of Moyglare (Meath);
(5) Elizabeth Aylmer; married, about September 1778 at Grangemore, Thomas Coates of Knockin Abbey (Kildare);
(6) Anne Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father in 1754 and acquired Grangemore (Kildare).
He died between 1770 and 1772; his will was proved in 1772. His widow died in 1781.

Aylmer, Michael (c.1750-c.1810). Eldest son of Charles Aylmer (c.1715-c.1772) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of James Tyrell of Clonard (Kildare), born about 1750. JP for Kildare from 1776; High Sheriff of Kildare, 1783, 1796 and 1804; Colonel of Kildare militia, 1795-1803; Revenue Collector in Kildare, c.1806-09. He married, 6 May 1777 at St Bride, Dublin, Frances Amelia, only daughter of Richard Hornidge DL of Tulfarris (Wicklow), and had issue:
(1) Emily Aylmer (c.1779-1811), born about 1779; married, 1799, as his second wife, Whitney Upton Gledstanes (d. 1807) of Fardross, Clogher (Tyrone) and had issue one son and one daughter;
(2) John Aylmer (1783/4-1857) (q.v.);
(3) Richard Aylmer (b. 1788), born 1788; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1804; BA 1808); died unmarried;
(4) Eliza Aylmer.
He inherited Ballycannon from his father c.1772, and acquired Courtown (Kildare) in about 1792, but the house there was looted and burned by the United Irishmen in 1798; after that he lived at The Shrubbery, Kilcock (conveniently close to the town police barracks!).
He died about 1810. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Aylmer, John (1783/4-1857). Elder son of Michael Aylmer (c.1750-c.1810) and his wife Frances Amelia, only daughter of Richard Hornidge of Tulfarris (Wicklow), born 1783/4. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1799; BA 1803) and Kings Inn, Dublin (admitted 1807). High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1819. He married 1st, March 1813, his cousin Martha (d. before 1828), second daughter of Maj. Richard Hornidge of Tulfarris (Wicklow), and 2nd, 29 December 1828 at Donadea, Margaret Susan (1799-1891), only daughter of Sir Fenton Aylmer, 7th bt., of Donadea Castle, and had issue:
(1.1) Isabella Aylmer (1814-24), born 1814; died young, 1824;
(2.1) Jane Grace Aylmer (c.1830-96); died unmarried, 28 March 1896; administration of goods granted 8 June 1896 (estate £5,059);
(2.2) Michael Henry Aylmer (1831-85) (q.v.);
(2.3) Frances Aylmer (b. c.1832); died unmarried;
(2.4) Margaret Aylmer (1834-1905), born 9 March 1834; married, 17 July 1856 at St Mark, Dublin, Charles Michael Wright (later Bury) (1830-1909) of Downings (Kildare) and had issue nine sons and four daughters; died 8 November 1905;
(2.5) Emily Aylmer (1835-1922), born 8 November 1835; married, 8 November 1859, Thomas Octavius Baldwin Chapman (c.1823-89) and had issue eight sons and five daughters; died 11 May 1922;
(2.6) Elizabeth Aylmer (c.1837-1900), born about 1837; died unmarried, 8 June 1900; will proved 9 August 1900 (estate in Ireland, £5,730) and sealed in London, 24 August 1900 (estate in England, £3,975);
(2.7) Cecilia Aylmer (c.1839-1918), born about 1839; died unmarried, 22 September 1918; will proved in Dublin, 2 December 1918, and sealed in London, 18 January 1919 (estate in England, £1,575);
(2.8) Lucy Harriet Aylmer (c.1842-1922), born about 1842; married, 20 June 1863 at British Chaplaincy in Rome (Italy), Edward Louis Hack (c.1831-89), builder of the first railways in Italy, and had issue one daughter; died 31 January 1922.
He inherited Courtown Park from his father and built a new house there c.1815.
He died 5 March 1857 and was buried at Cloncurry (Kildare); his will was proved 28 March 1857. His first wife died before 1828. His widow died aged 92, 26 December 1891; her will was proved in Dublin, 18 March 1892 (estate in Ireland, £14,279) and sealed in London, 11 April 1892 (estate in England £4,584).

Aylmer, Michael Henry (1831-85). Only son of John Aylmer (1783/4-1857) of Courtown Park and his second wife, Margaret Susan (1799-1892), only daughter of Sir Fenton Aylmer, 7th bt., of Donadea Castle, born 30 May 1831. JP for Co. Kildare. A noted horseman and rider to hounds. He married, 5 February 1853 at Naas (Kildare), Charlotte Margaret (d. 1893), daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), and had issue:
(1) John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924) (q.v.);
(2) Florence Mary Aylmer (1854-1907), born about 25 November 1854; married 1st, 21 March 1882 at St Ann, Dublin, Lt-Col. Walter Joseph Borrowes (1834-93), youngest son of Sir Erasmus Dixon Borrowes, 8th bt., and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 1895, William R.N. Gore; died 3 August 1907; administration of her goods granted 29 October 1907 (estate £632);
(3) Hans Hendrick Aylmer (later Hendrick-Aylmer) (1856-1917) (q.v.);
(4) Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933) (q.v.).
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1857, and Kerdiffstown in right of his wife.
He died in Dublin, 4 April 1885; his will was proved 9 April 1885 (effects £1,480). His widow died 4 November 1893; her will was proved in Dublin, 25 January 1894 (effects in Ireland, £5,631) and sealed in London, 7 February 1894 (estate in England, £2,056).

Aylmer, Maj. John Algernon (1853-1924). Eldest son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 22 December 1853. Educated at Liverpool Collegiate Institution and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1872; BA 1876; rowing blue, 1874).  An officer in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Lt., 1875; Capt., 1882; Maj., 1891), who served in Egypt, 1882. JP and DL for Co. Kildare; High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1896-97. He married, 12 April 1886 at Clearwell (Glos), Blanche (1855-95), third daughter of John Eveleigh Wyndham of Stock Dennis (Somerset) and widow of Capt. George Montgomery, and had issue:
(1) Stella Wyndham Aylmer (1887-1973), born Jan-Mar 1887; County Organizer for Women’s Voluntary Service; appointed MBE, 1946; married, 3 March 1909, Lt-Col. John Maurice Colchester-Wemyss OBE JP (1880-1946), younger son of Maynard Willoughby Colchester-Wemyss of Westbury Court (Glos), and had issue one son; died 27 May 1973;
(2) John Wyndham Aylmer (1889-1953) (q.v.).
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1885.
He died 24 August 1924; his will was proved in London, 13 March 1925 (estate in England, £12,515) and in Dublin, 1 September 1925 (estate in Ireland, £5,662). His wife died 8 March 1895; administration of her goods was granted 14 June 1895 (effects £1,205).

Aylmer, Maj. John Wyndham (1889-1953). Only son of John Algernon Aylmer (1853-1924) and his wife Blanche, third daughter of John Eveleigh Wyndham of Stock Dennis (Somerset) and widow of Capt. George Montgomery, born 9 March 1889. Educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in 4th Dragoon Guards (Lt., 1910; Capt., 1915; Maj., 1923; retired 1924), who served in First World War (mentioned in despatches three times). Master of Kildare Hunt, 1925-26. He married, 8 August 1918 at Holy Trinity, Sloane St., London, Edith Margaret (1892-1964), youngest daughter of Wilfred Hans Loder DL JP of High Beeches, Handcross (Sussex), and had issue:
(1) Maj. Michael Eustace Wyndham Aylmer (1919-86), born 20 July 1919; educated at Eton and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; an officer in 16th/5th Lancers (2nd Lt., 1939; Lt., 1941; Capt., 1946; Maj., 1952; retired, 1953) who served in Second World War; member of the London Stock Exchange; died 3 December 1986; will proved 20 May 1987 (estate £230,081);
(2) Blanche Mary Aylmer (1920-64), born 3 September 1920; served in Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in Second World War; married, 6 May 1944, Christopher Francis Wintour of Sowbury House, Chieveley (Berks), son of Ulick Fitzgerald Wintour of Cap d’Antibes (France), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 16 February 1964; administration of goods granted 12 November 1964 (estate £8,919);
(3) Col. (John) Anthony Aylmer (b. 1925) of Nunwell House, Brading (IoW), born 7 October 1925; educated at Wellington College; an officer in the Irish Guards (Lt., 1947; Capt., 1952; Maj., 1959; Lt-Col., 1966; Col., 1972; retired 1980), who served in Second World War, Palestine 1948-49 and Aden 1966-67; took part in the Coronation Procession, 1953; Military Assistant to Lord Mountbatten, 1964-65; Deputy Chairman, Exercises Branch of Operations Division, SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), 1973; President of the Irish Wolfhound Club, 1970-72; purchased Nunwell House from the Oglander family, 1982; DL for Isle of Wight, 1994; married, 16 September 1961, Shaunagh Christine (1934-2010), second daughter of Richard Smythe Guinness of Lodge Park, Straffan (Kildare) and had issue one son and two daughters.
He inherited Courtown Park from his father in 1924 but sold it in 1947 and lived subsequently at The Park, Charleville (Co. Cork).
He died in London, 22 March 1953; his will was proved 9 December 1953 (estate in England, £7,320). His widow died 29 October 1964; her will was proved 24 February 1965 (estate £6,409).

Hendrick-Aylmer, Hans Hendrick (1856-1917). Second son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 23 May 1856. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1877) Kings Inn, Dublin and Middle Temple (admitted, 1878; called to bar, 1880). Barrister-at-law. JP for Co. Kildare; High Sheriff of Co. Kildare, 1894. A keen amateur tennis player, he competed in the Irish national championships in 1880; Treasurer of the Kildare Archaeological Society. He took the additional name and arms of Hendrick by Royal Licence in 1889. He married, 8 May 1886 at Christ Church, Dublin, Florence (c.1861-1940), third daughter of Alexander Edwards of Ballyhire (Wexford), and had issue:
(1) Charles Percy Hendrick-Aylmer (1887-1906), born Jul-Sep 1887; educated at Wellington College; died unmarried of peritonitis, 1 December 1906;
(2) Muriel Charlotte Hendrick-Aylmer (1889-1970), born 16 May 1889; married, 5 November 1915, Brig. John Penrose MC (1886-1964) of West Hoe House, Bishops Waltham (Hants), son of Rev. John Penrose of Chippenham (Wilts) and had issue three sons; died 19 November 1970; will proved 30 April 1971 (estate £14,062);
(3) Violet Lucy Hendrick-Aylmer (1891-1979), born 13 September 1891; married, 31 December 1925, Capt. Philip Sylvester Alexander (1883-1952) of Kilmorna, Lismore (Waterford), only son of Col. the Hon. Walter Philip Alexander, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 19 December 1979; will proved in London, 28 May 1981 (estate in England £4,512);
(4) Gerald Hans Hendrick-Aylmer (1897-1917), born Jul-Sep 1897; educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; an officer in Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Lt., 1915), who served in First World War and was killed in action, 16 April 1917; he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais (France).
He inherited Kerdiffstown House from his grandfather, Hans Hendrick, in 1889.
He died 13 November 1917 and was buried at Maudlins Cemetery, Naas (Kildare), where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in Dublin, 14 February 1918. His widow died 8 April 1940 and was also buried at Maudlins Cemetery; her will was proved in London, 7 August 1940 (estate in England, £2,478).

Aylmer, Algernon Ambrose Michael (1857-1933). Youngest son of Michael Aylmer (1831-85) and his wife Charlotte Margaret, daughter and heiress of Hans Hendrick of Kerdiffstown House and Tully (Kildare), born 23 June 1857. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1879). An officer in the Dublin City Militia (Lt., 1875; resigned 1878). A keen amateur tennis player, he competed in the Irish national championships in 1880. He married, 10 June 1886, Frances Sophia (c.1861-1937), youngest daughter of Meade Caulfield Dennis of Fort Granite (Wexford) and had issue:
(1) Col. Richard Michael Aylmer (1887-1975) (q.v.);
(2) Theodora Margaret Aylmer (1892-1971), born 21 February 1892; married, 15 June 1915, Maj. Roger Ferdinand Mainguy DSO (1882-1959), son of Maj.-Gen. Ferdinand Beckwith Mainguy of Les Roquettes (Guernsey); lived at Morristown, Kill (Co. Kildare); died 2 December 1971; will proved in London, 30 October 1978 (estate in England £16,267).
He lived at Rathmore (Kildare) until he inherited Kerdiffstown House from his elder brother in 1917.
He died 6 February 1933; his will was proved in London, 10 May 1933 (estate in England, £9,674); in Dublin, 12 July 1933 (estate in Ireland, £20,911) and in Belfast, 19 July 1933 (estate in Northern Ireland £1,392). His widow died 20 January 1937; her will was proved in England, 25 March 1937 (estate £571).

Aylmer, Col. Richard Michael (1887-1975). Only son of Algernon Ambrose Michael Aylmer (1857-1933) and his wife Frances Sophia, youngest daughter of Meade Caulfield Dennis of Fort Granite (Wexford), born 5 October 1887. Educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in Royal Army Service Corps 1908-38 and 1949-45; served in First World War (wounded, mentioned in despatches three times) and Second World War (mentioned in despatches); seconded to Egyptian Army, 1920-23. He married, 26 January 1939, Mona (1909-99), elder daughter of Capt. Conn Alexander of Bognor Regis (Sussex), and had issue:
(1) Justin Michael Aylmer (b. 1940), born 3 January 1940; educated at Wellington College; employed in Investment Division of Lloyds Bank Ltd from 1974 but later retrained as an actor at the Focus Theatre, Dublin; member of the Council of the Irish Lawn Tennis Assoc., 1973; married, 1981, Bridget Frances Georgina (b. 1954), daughter of Canon George Alfred Salter, and had issue two sons;
(2) Dennis Fenton Aylmer (b. 1942) of Valley House, Enniskerry (Wicklow), born 21 May 1942; educated at Wellington College; company director; converted to Unitarianism c.1965; trustee of the Unitarian Church of Ireland, 2001-date; married, 1976, Dorothy Margaret (d. 2012), daughter of Thomas Anthony Fleming, and had issue two sons.
He inherited Kerdiffstown House from his father in 1933 but sold it in 1938. In 1947 he bought Ayesha Castle (Co. Dublin), which was sold by his sons in 1997.
He died at Ayesha Castle, 26 January 1975, and was buried at Maudlins Cemetery, Naas (Kildare); his will was proved 31 October 1975 (estate in England, £13,452). His widow died aged 90, 22 August 1999, and was also buried at Maudlins Cemetery, where their grave is marked by a monument; her will was proved in London, 20 March 2000.

Sources

Burke’s Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 42-43; F.J. Aylmer, The Aylmers of Ireland, 1931; M. Bence-Jones, A guide to Irish country houses, 2nd edn., 1990, pp. 93, 164, 196-97; Irish Architectural Archive, The architecture of Richard Morrison and William Vitruvius Morrison, 1989, pp. 120-22.

Location of archives: Hendrick and Aylmer families of Kerdiffstown and Ayesha Castle: family and estate papers, 18th-19th cents. [Private Collection; enquiries to National Library of Ireland]

Coat of arms Argent, a cross sable between four Cornish choughs proper.

Summerton (or Somerton), Castleknock, Co Dublin

by jenjunebugJanuary 23, 2025

Summerton (or Somerton), Castleknock, Co Dublin

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

P. 268. “[Brooke, Bt, of Summerton/PB, Laidlaw/LgI1958] A two storey late-Georgian house with an entrance front consisting of a recessed centre between one bay projections joined by an Ionic colonnade. Four bay side. Heavy quoins; parapeted roof. Room with ceiling of Adamesque plasterwork. In the days of George Brooke, 1st Bt, Summerton was the scene of lavish Edwardian hospitality; with the result that it has to be sold 1911, the buyer being T.K. Laidlaw.”

supplement

“The Adamesque plasterwork in one of the bedrooms is by Michael Stapleton, who designed the earlier house which is incorporated in the present structure. The house was done over by Richard Orpen in the Edwardian period.”

Cappoquin House & Gardens, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford P51 D324 – section 482

by jenjunebugJanuary 24, 2021February 25, 2026

www.cappoquinhouseandgardens.com

Open dates in 2026: June 1-27, Aug 15-31, Sept 1-19, 9am-1pm

Fee: adult house €14, house and garden €20, garden only €7

donation

Help me to pay the entrance fee to one of the houses on this website. This site is created purely out of love for the subject and I receive no payment so any donation is appreciated!

€15.00

*The front of Cappoquin House, which was originally the back.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

We visited Cappoquin House during Heritage Week in 2020. Cappoquin House was built in 1779 for Sir John Keane (1757-1829), and is still owned by the Keane family. The original house, sometimes known as “Belmont,” the name of the townland, was built on a site of an Elizabethan house built by the Munster planter, Sir Christopher Hatton. [1] It is most often attributed to a local architect, John Roberts (1712-96). [2] John Roberts was also architect of Moore Hall in County Mayo (1792 – now a ruin) and Tyrone House in County Galway (1779 – also a ruin).

*From the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Moore Hall, County Mayo.*

*From the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Tyrone House, County Galway.*

Glascott Symes points out in his book Sir John Keane and Cappoquin House in time of war and revolution that it is not known who the original architect was, and it may have been Davis Ducart, who also built Kilshannig. [3]

The house was burnt and destroyed in 1923, because a descendent, John Keane (1873-1956), accepted a nomination to the Senate of the new government of Ireland. Ireland gained its independence from Britain by signing a Treaty, in which independence was given to Ireland at the expense of the six counties of Northern Ireland, which remained a part of Britain. Disagreement about the Treaty and the loss of the six counties led to the Irish Civil War. During this war, Senators’ houses were targeted by anti-Treaty forces since Senators served in the new (“pro-Treaty”) government; thirty-seven houses of Senators were burnt.

Fortunately the Keanes received compensation and engaged Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen (1863-1938) of South Frederick Street, Dublin [4], brother of painter William Orpen, to rebuild. Any material possible to salvage from the fire was used, and the fine interiors were recreated. [5] It was at this time that the former back of the house became the front, overlooking a courtyard which is entered through an archway.

*The archway to the courtyard. The lawn was laid by Sir Charles’s parents.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

*View of the arched entry to the courtyard from the garden*. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The square house has six bays across with a two-bay two-storey breakfront, and the door is in a frontispiece with columns.

*Cappoquin House, August 2020.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The house has a balustraded parapet topped with urns. The garden front, which was originally the front of the house, faces toward the Blackwater River, and has a central breakfront of three bays with round-headed windows and door. The door has cut-limestone surround with flush panelled pilasters and a fanlight. The round-headed flanking windows have fluted keystones and six-over-six timber sashed windows with fanlights.

*Garden front of the house.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

*View from the gardens, beyond the courtyard.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

*West side of the house*. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The porch on one side of the house was built in 1913 by Page L. Dickinson for John Keane, and remains the same after the fire. [6] The work done by Dickinson inside the house in 1913, including decorative plasterwork, was destroyed.

*Side of the house with porch from 1913 by Page Dickinson.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

*Cappoquin House.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

*View from the west portico.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

On the east side of the house is a Conservatory.

*Rebuilding the roof, 1922. The motor vehicle puts the dates into perspective!*

When Sir John had the house rebuilt after the fire, he asked Page Dickinson again to be his architect but by this time Dickinson had moved to England, so Keane engaged Dickinson’s former partner, Richard Caulfield Orpen.

The white buildings around the courtyard were not destroyed in the fire and pre-date the rebuilt house. Some probably date from Hatton’s time.

The Keanes are an old Irish family, originally named O’Cahan. The Ulster family lost their lands due to the Ulster Plantation in 1610. In 1690, following the victory of William III at the Battle of the Boyne, George O’Cahan and converted to Protestantism and anglicized his name to Keane. He practiced as a lawyer. [7] In 1738 his son, John, acquired land in the area of Cappoquin in three 999 years leases from Richard Boyle, the 4th Earl of Cork. The leases included an old Fitzgerald castle. It was this John’s grandson, also named John Keane (1757-1829), who bought out the lease and built Cappoquin House. [8]

John became MP for Bangor in the Irish parliament from 1791 to 1801 and for Youghal in the British parliament from 1801 to 1818. He was created a baronet, denominated of Belmont and Cappoquin, County Waterford, in 1801 after the Act of Union. The current owner is the 7^th Baronet.

John the 1^st Baronet’s oldest son, Richard, became the 2^nd Baronet (1780-1855). John’s second son, John, served in the British army, and received the title of 1st Baron Keane of Ghuznee in Afghanistan and Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, in 1839. The current owner is a descendant of the elder son, Richard the 2^nd Baronet, who also served in the military. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Waterford Militia.

General John, 1st Baron Keane of Ghuznee in Afghanistan and Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, by Martin Arthur Shea. This is the ancestor who was in Afghanistan – he can be identified by his medals and sword. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

After his first wife died, Sarah Keily, daughter of Richard Keily of Springmount, County Waterford and Sarah Ussher of Cappagh House, another section 482 property in County Waterford, John Keane the 1st Baronet remarried, this time to Dorothy née Scott, widow of Philip Champion de Crespigny who was MP for Aldborough in Suffolk, England.

*Dorothy Scott (1765-1837) second wife of John Keane, 1st Baronet, by George Romney courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art*.

In 1855 the Keane estate was offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court, as the estate was insolvent after tenants could not pay their rents during the Famine. It seems however that the 3rd Baronet, John Henry Keane (1816-1881), managed to clear the debt and reclaim the estate.

Sir Charles showed us maps of the property, as drawn up under the Encumbered Estates Act.

The 4^th Baronet, Richard Henry Keane (1845-1892), served as High Sheriff of County Waterford and Deputy Lieutenant of County Waterford. He married Adelaide Sidney Vance, whose father John was a Conservative MP for the city of Dublin, and they had several children.

John Keane (1873-1956) the 5^th Baronet also served in the British Army, and fought in the Boer War between 1899-1902. He was Private Secretary to the Governor of Ceylon between 1902 and 1905. In 1904 he was admitted to the Middle Temple to become a Barrister, but he never practiced as a Barrister. Following in his father’s footsteps he too held the office of High Sheriff of County Waterford. He followed politics closely and supported Home Rule for Ireland. He was a kind, thoughtful man and housed refugees during the wars. He fought in World War One, becoming a Lieutenant Colonel. It was this John who became a Senator.

*In the cap is John Keane 5th Baronet, with his wife, daughter and his 2nd and 3rd sons George, right and Frederick, left, 3 September 1902 courtesy of National Library of Ireland.*

The 5th Baronet married Eleanor Lucy Hicks-Beach, daughter of the 1st Earl of Saint Aldwyn, Gloucester, England.

Keane joined Horace Plunkett in the co-operative movement in Ireland, which promoted the organisation of farmers and producers to obtain self-reliance. The idea was that they would process their own products for the market, thus cutting out the middle man. The founders of the co-operative movement embraced new technologies for processing, such as the steam-powered cream separator. Unfortunately this led to a clash with farm labourers who unionised to prevent reduction in their wages when prices fell. Keane refused to negotiate with the Union. Rancour grew between landowners and labourers, which may have encouraged the later burning of Keane’s house. The idealism of the co-operative movement, with the goal of “better farming, better business, better living,” was easier said than done.

*Horace Plunkett by photographer Bassano Ltd, 1923, courtesy of National Portrait Gallery of London, reference NPGx12783.*

Keane kept diaries, which have been studied by Glascott J.R.M. Symes for an MA thesis in Maynooth University’s Historic House Studies. Symes outlines the details about the disagreements. [9] Horace Plunkett, one of the founders of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, also became a Senator in Ireland’s first government and his house in South Dublin, Kilteragh, was also destroyed during the Civil War that followed the founding of the state.

Keane knew that his house may become a target and he sent his wife and children to live in London, and packed up principal contents of the house. Seventy six houses were destroyed in the War of Independence in what was to become the Republic of Ireland, but almost two hundred in the Civil War. [10] Unfortunately the library and some of the art collection at Cappoquin were destroyed. [11]

We entered the house through a door in the older former servants’ area in order to see the maps. We then passed into the main house, with its impressive entrance hall, with stone floor and frieze of plasterwork.

Beyond this room is the stair hall, with a top-lit cantilevered staircase and beautiful coffered dome. The timber banister terminates in a volute.

From the stair hall we entered the library, which has a dentilled cornice and built-in bookcases and is painted a deep red colour. The most intricate works in rebuilding the interior of the house were the library bookcases and the staircase, which are a tribute to the skills of carpenter James Hackett and Edward Brady, a mason from Cappoquin. [see Symes].

Beyond the stair hall is the central drawing room, which was formerly the entrance hall. It has an Ionic columnar screen, and a decorative plasterwork cornice – a frieze of ox skulls and swags.

The ceiling plasterwork and columns in the drawing room are by G. Jackson and Sons (established 1780) of London, who also made the decoration in the stair hall. Sir Charles explained to us that it would have been made not freehand but from a mould.

The chimneypiece is similar to one in 52 St. Stephen’s Green, the home of the Office of Public Works. One can tell it is old, Sir Charles told us, by running one’s hand over the top – it is not smooth, as it would be if it were machine-made. According to Symes, three original marble mantelpieces survive from before the fire, and the one in the drawing room was brought from a Dublin house of Adelaide Sidney Vance’s family, probably 18 Rutland Square (now Parnell Square), in the late nineteenth century. The Vance chimneypiece is of Carrara marble with green marble insets and carved panels of the highest quality. Christine Casey has identified the designs as derived from the Borghese vase, a vase now in the Louvre museum, which was sculpted in Athens in the 1^st century BC. [12]

The chimneypieces in the dining room and former drawing room are of carved statuary marble with columns and are inset with Brocatello marble (a fine-grained yellow marble) from Siena. [13] The dining room has another splendid ceiling. The chimmeypiece in the dining room has a central panel of a wreath and oak leaves with urns above the columns.

*The Brocatello marble fireplace in the Dining Room.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

We then went out to the conservatory.

After our house tour, we had the gardens to explore. The gardens are open to the public on certain days of the year [14]. They were laid out in the middle of the nineteenth century but there are vestiges of earlier periods in walls, gateways and streams. Sir Charles’s mother expanded the gardens and brought her expertise to the planting.

To the west of the house is an orchard of pears and Bramley apples.

*The Eucalyptus coccifera.* Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

One wends one’s way up the hill across picturesque lawns, the Upper Pleasure Gardens. The paths take one past weeping ash and beeches, a Montezuma pine and rhododendrons.

Our energy was flagging by the end of our walk around the gardens so unfortunately I have no pictures of the sunken garden, which is on the south side of the house, overlooking the view towards Dromana House.

I noticed that you can stay in a cottage in the courtyard! https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/16332970?adults=2&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&wishlist_item_id=11002218087407&check_in=2023-05-23&check_out=2023-05-24&source_impression_id=p3_1681134404_prgB5ShntjT0gCzp

[1] p. 7. Symes, Glascott J.R.M. Sir John Keane and Cappoquin House in time of war and revolution. Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2016.

[2] https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/22810098/cappoquin-house-cappoquin-demesne-cappoquin-co-waterford

[3] p. 42, Symes.

[4] Irish Builder 5th March 1927, 162, https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/22810098/cappoquin-house-cappoquin-demesne-cappoquin-co-waterford

[5] p. 56. Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978). Revised edition 1988, Constable and Company Ltd, London.

[6] https://theirishaesthete.com/2014/07/16/exactly-as-intended/

[7] http://lordbelmontinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/search/label/County%20Waterford%20Landowners

[8] https://theirishaesthete.com/2013/03/04/risen-from-the-ashes/

[9] p. 31-35. Symes.

[10] p. 39. Symes.

[11] http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=C

[12] p. 46. Symes.

[13] p. 45. Symes.

[14] https://www.cappoquinhouseandgardens.com/

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Properties open to the public, on Irish Revenue Section 482

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Cappoquin House & Gardens, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford P51 D324 – section 482

Property Features

Appraisal

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