Member of Parliament, architect and kinsman of Charles Stewart Parnell, Samuel Hayes is best known for his design in 1777 of the house and estate at Avondale, Co Wicklow, writes Patrick Bowe
Samuel Hayes and Sir John Parnell were first cousins, both descended from Thomas Parnell, a poet friend of Jonathan Swift. They shared a common amateur interest in architecture and landscape design. Like many young 18th century gentlemen interested in the arts, they travelled to Italy. They also travelled extensively in England looking at country estates and progressive farms with a view to improving their own estates when they returned to Ireland.
