It has been 50 years since Doneraile Court was first opened to the public but this magnificent house dating from the 1600s has been lying idle for over 25 years. Now, with a 1.6 million Euro windfall from the State coffers, the OPW will finally be able to restore it to its former glory. But it is a blank canvas as all the furniture fixtures and fittings were sold off over thirty years ago. It is in dire need of structural work, windows need replacing and walls and ceilings rebuilt. This is Mary and Christopher’s baby and they are working night and day to restore the house. The local community is key here and Mary and Chris have built up strong links with locals who are donating items from the house which they inherited or ‘acquired’ over the years. Former residents of the house such as Arthur Montgomery will give us a fascinating insight into the history of the house.
This episode follows the intricate and painstaking restoration of previously unseen rooms at the majestic Victorian Palace and Kylemore Abbey in Connemara which were once home to the kitchens and day rooms of the Benedictine Community and their international girl’s boarding school. Today they are the focus and introduction to a stunning new €3m Digital Exhibition “From Generation to Generation – the Story of Kylemore Abbey” over the past one hundred years. Featuring Historic Interiors Consultant, Joanne Smyth and Abbey and Gothic Church Manager at Kylemore Abbey, Eithne O Halloran who’s also a past pupil of the Benedictine School in Connemara, the producers follow their tireless efforts to create this stunning new extension to an already impressive jewel in the Connemara landscape. Attention detail in the brief all of which is based on passion and personal experience of Kylemore Abbey by both ladies as they set about generating and amplifying a stunning new entrance to Kylemore Abbey and a series of elegant exhibition rooms resplendent of the Victorian home of the former House of Commons, MP and English industrialist business man’s Mitchel Henry’s lifestyle in Connemara over 100 years ago. Joanne and Eithne’s ambition is to recreate a stunning new series of rooms which will showcase the splendour and grandeur of the Abbey while wowing and enthralling Kylemore Abbey’s half million visitors annually. All of which must be achieved within a tight. The cameras and Moondance Production team follow Joanne and Eithne as they define the brief for delicate yet large scale restoration project. The restoration journey takes them to London in search of artefacts, furniture, soft furnishings and wallpapers from Mitchel’s Henry’s Victorian era. Meeting with antique dealers, researching artworks, replicas of the original peacock design wall papers which feature in prize artefacts and artworks already in Kylemore’s possession is first on the agenda. High energy meetings in
Emo Court is described as the jewel in Co Laois’s historical crown. This neo-classical mansion dates from the 18th century and was designed for the Earls of Portarlington. In the hands of the State since 2008, it has received a multi-million Euro boost to open extra floors to the public. Although it is in better nick than Doneraile Court, this huge mansion is a beast of a project, and it needs a lot of TLC. Mary Heffernan from the OPW and Historical Interiors Expert Joanne Bannon are tasked with making this happen, from researching what finishes to use on the stunning staircase; to practicalities of opening a house full of priceless artefacts to the public. Armed with a multimillion euro budget, these two are in charge of restoring this crumbling interior to its former glory. The real challenge, however, lies in filling it with furniture, paintings and precious artefacts now scattered in private and public collections all over the country. We hit the road with Mary and Joanne as they beg, steal an borrow from some the State’s most amazing treasures and look on as they reinvigorate the interior character of these houses once more.
The return of the documentary following the restorations of historic buildings, beginning with Russborough House in Co Wicklow, home to a famed art collection
The restoration of Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford, a stunning example of the Gothic revival architecture of the 19th century. The programme follows curator Matt Wheeler and his team as they piece together the castle's 800-year history and bring it into the 21st century
The restoration of Castletown House in Co Kildare, where Mary Heffernan and a team of experts are delving into the history of original owner William “Speaker” Conolly’s family while overseeing the return of several paintings and artefacts that have been missing for decades.
Strokestown House, Co Roscommon: The restoration of Strokestown House in Co Roscommon, which served as the Pakenham-Mahons’ seat and was the site of mass evictions and murders during the Great Famine, with the family’s head being assassinated in retaliation for his cruel treatment of tenants. Curator John O’Driscoll and his team must upgrade the house’s heating system in order to preserve the house’s priceless archive of famine records.
A look at how Mary Heffernan's team is working to conserve, update and reinvigorate the visitor experience at Kilkenny Castle, one of Ireland's most beautiful buildings
Once a Dublin residence of the fabled Guinness family, Farmleigh, just on the outskirts of Dublin’s Phoenix Park, is the official Irish state guesthouse. The maintenance and efficient running of the house is of paramount importance to the state, and it is one of the finest houses in the care of the OPW. This year, Mary Heffernan of the OPW and her team are gearing up for one of their busiest seasons yet.
Glebe House and Gallery in Co. Donegal was the home of the renowned artist Derek Hill. He lived there for 30 years, moving to rural Donegal to escape the hustle and bustle of London and reconnect with his painting. Now under the care of the OPW, Glebe’s curator and director, Adrian Kelly brings us on a journey through the artist’s extensive collection. We will also explore how Hill’s work inspires fellow artists to this day, and have a look at the influence he had on the local Tory Island.
