Patrick Bowe looks at the history of Irish rock gardens, whose popularity helped democratise gardening as a domestic hobby
Marie Bourke assesses the work of Francis Bindon, a portrait painter and designer of Irish country houses
Peter Pearson visits Barryscourt Castle in Cork, seat of the Barry family until the 17th century
Terence Reeves-Smyth visits the castle and gardens of Glenveagh in County Donegal and charts the history of this romantic hideaway
Hilary Pyle remembers Maria Taylor, a painter interested in people, in their occupations and ways of life
Roger Stalley looks at the arguments for and against restoring Ireland’s ancient buildings
Kathryn Milligan traces the history of a 1920s Dublin salon that featured the work of Irish, British and European artists
Roger Stalley considers the history and architecture of Ireland’s largest medieval priory, Athassel, County Tipperary
Rathfarnham Castle is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the story of architecture in Ireland, writes Tadhg O’Keeffe
Patrick Bowe looks at paintings of three Irish gardens, which favour effects of light and colour over botanical detail
Peter Pearson visits Marlay House, at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, which was opened to the public fifty years ago
One of Ireland’s most significant medieval manuscripts survives in the Abbey Library of St Gallen in Switzerland, as Bernard Meehan elucidates
Michael Waldron remembers Cork’s Munster Fine Art Club (1920–1988), which exhibited the work of local artists and Irish artists with national and international reputations
Alison FitzGerald views an exhibition of ornamental gold and silver boxes, whose presentation and trade revealed the loyalties of those involved
Terence Reeves-Smyth visits the restored Florence Court in Co Fermanagh, an alluring country house that reflects and sympathises with its surroundings
St Mary’s Cathedral in Tuam, Co Galway is a veritable shrine of Romanesque art, writes Roger Stalley
Kenneth McConkey recounts the story of how two great Irish painters, John Lavery and William Orpen, recorded the greatest ballerina of her generation, Anna Pavlova
Mary Cahill and Greer Ramsey present the case for gold workshop practice in the Late Bronze age in Ireland
Peter Pearson recalls the history and highlights the interiors of Leinster House, home to the Irish parliament for the past hundred years
John Egan’s Portable Irish harp became the archetypal Irish harp, writes Nancy Hurrell
In a society where two pennies would look down on a ha’penny, the Henrietta St tenements were considered quite ‘posh’, writes Danielle O’Donovan
No other church in Dublin retains such an elaborate or such a complete High Victorian decorative scheme, writes Alistair Rowan
Ann Wilson explores Harry Clarke’s only stained-glass windows in Kerry, which feature fairytale elements unusual in a religious setting
The visitor who makes the effort to see Monasteranenagh will have a rewarding experience, writes Tadhg O’Keeffe about the early Cistercian abbey in County Limerick
Recalling the extraordinary history of Howth Castle, Peter Pearson makes a case for the state to purchase the castle and its domain, and provide an unparalleled amenity for the Irish public
Marie Bourke recalls Dublin’s art and industry exhibition of 1853, which provided the impetus for the formation of Ireland’s national museums, library and art gallery
Terence Reeves-Smyth visits Ardgillan Castle in County Dublin, noted for its magnificent coastal views and fine gardens
Roger Stalley elucidates architectural gems from the Middle Ages, the friaries of the West of Ireland, where many cloisters and carvings remain intact
Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch looks at the extraordinary creation of a doll’s house by a retired British Army officer
Terence Reeves-Smyth looks at the history of Springhill House in Co Derry, three hundred years after its construction
Hiram Morgan relates the history of a 16th-century tapestry that features a tournament between British and Irish knights
Peter Harbison unearths the works of amateur artist and archaeologist Richard Colt Hoare during his summer in Ireland in 1806
Thomas Moore’s works influenced visual artists throughout Europe and beyond, writes Julian Campbell
Peter Harbison argues that the influences of continental frescoes could lead to a later dating of the Book of Kells
Following a hunting fall, the hound saved the earl’s life by running back to the castle to raise the alarm, recounts Terence Reeves-Smyth
Terence Reeves-Smyth explores the eccentric history of this charming country house as it celebrates sixty years of public access
John Montague explores Dunsoghly Castle in North County Dublin, one of Ireland’s most interesting buildings
Nesta Butler traces the career of William Baillie, printmaker, art connoisseur and dealer
Peter Harbison delights in rediscovered watercolours by a master of the genre, Jg O’Brien aka Oben
Julian Walton and William Fraher explore the magnificent Curraghmore House in County Waterford, where, three hundred years ago, the union of two families produced the most powerful dynasty in late Georgian Ireland
Peter Harbison proposes that images on high crosses represent ‘good’ on their south-facing side and ‘bad’ on their north – the direction from which evil was thought to have come in medieval times
Cormac Bourke examines the use, fabric and design of hand-bells in Ireland from the 5th century, when they regulated monastic life
Robert Hensey presents the case for classifying Sligo’s passage tomb landscape as a World Heritage Site
Roger Stalley explores the plant and flower carvings on the capitals at Corcomroe abbey, designs that were unique at that time in Europe
Unravelling the sequence of carving on the stones has been challenging but has been helped by the fact that there are so many examples to study, writes Elizabeth Shee Twohig
Susan Curley Meyer explores a favourite Dublin ‘type’, the flower seller, and her representations in many forms of visual culture
Peter Pearson outlines the history of Dublin’s Drimnagh Castle, where he has spear-headed the restoration for nearly four decades
Peter Murray highlights paintings from the recent collection donated to the Crawford Art Gallery by the Port of Cork Company
Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch reveals Sr Mary Concepta’s design and decoration of the Oratory of the Sacred Heart in Dún Laoghaire
Michael Connerty traces Jack B Yeats’ output of comics and comic-strip art
The great stone forts are the ultimate expressions of the political power of early medieval ruling families, writes Christiaan Corlett
Anne Hodge examines a series of drawings of scenes in Dublin and Wicklow, made by the writer and artist Edward Lear in 1835
Philip McEvansoneya follows the trail of a painting of Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia, from the shadow of the Galtee Mountains through Hermann Göring’s art collection, to Saskia’s hometown in the Netherlands
Kenneth McConkey considers works by John Lavery, painted during the artist’s frequent sojourns at home and abroad
Peter Pearson recounts the history and restoration of Powerscourt House, which occupies a distinguished place in Irish architectural history
Peter Pearson finds a wealth of horological riches in Waterford’s new museum
Roger Stalley examines the relationship between the carvings of the mason and the metalworker in building and shrine decoration in 12th-century Ireland
John Montague explores Dunsoghly Castle in North County Dublin, one of Ireland’s most interesting buildings
Peter Somerville-Large recounts the history of the National Museum of Ireland’s significant ethnographic collection, last displayed over thirty years ago
A small number of Irish stone circles exhibit convincing evidence of intentional astronomical alignment at winter or summer solstice, writes Frank Prendergast. Photographs by Ken Williams
Julian Walton and William Fraher explore the magnificent Curraghmore House in County Waterford, where, three hundred years ago, the union of two families produced the most powerful dynasty in late Georgian Ireland
Rose Jane Leigh’s importance as an early pioneering Wexford landscape painter and her choice of studying in Antwerp placed her at the centre of the major art movements of the 19th and early 20th century, writes Mary Stratton Ryan
Patrick Bowe unearths how medieval monks fished, foraged and cultivated one of Ireland’s earliest known kitchen gardens on the cliffs of the windswept island of Skellig Michael
A set of embroideries commissioned by Nobel laureate William Butler Yeats and executed by his sister, Lily, for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress has recently come to light in America. This rare needlework tells a story of Irishness, religiosity and a transatlantic arts and crafts journey.
The historically important Doneraile Court in north Cork has opened its doors to the public following an extensive conservation and renovation project, writes Peter Pearson
The National Museum of Ireland’s up-coming Glendalough exhibition includes items that have come to light in the valley and its environs over the last two or three centuries and which have never been seen in public before, writes Matthew Seaver
There are echoes of the old Roman circus on the bases of Irish high crosses at Clonmacnoise, Monasterboice and Lorrha, writes Peter Harbison
The legacy of stained-glass artist Helen Moloney is in the vibrancy of her colours and her use of coloured glass and lead lines in an abstract manner, writes Bart Felle
The collection of 19th century stereo negatives of the Gap Girls of Dunloe in Kerry comprise a rare and unique body of work, writes Julian Campbell
Following its recent transfer to the care of the OPW, Peter Murray traces the history of Annes Grove in North Cork which will open to the public later this summer
The artist Patrick Swift and his wife founded a pottery in Portugal in the 1960s that is still thriving today, writes Peter Murray
Joshua Reynolds’ painting of Emily, Duchess of Leinster, has been unveiled in Castletown House, writes John Coleman
Peter harbison remembers the antiquarian Lord Walter Fitzgerald
Deirdre Conroy presents three examples from a number of conservation projects initiated by the grant scheme of the Irish georgian Society
Charles Noble draws on recently discovered correspondence documenting changes to the fabric of Lismore Castle, Co Waterford, aided by the use of early photography
James Howley highlights future plans for Ballintubber Abbey, Co Mayo, one of ireland’s oldest places of worship
Cornelia McCarthy traces the cultural milieu of the inhabitants of Killenure Castle, County Tipperary, home to the Cooper family for almost three centuries
Terence Reeves-Smyth explores the development of the famous Robinsonian garden outside Saintfield, County Down
Terence Reeves-Smyth traces the development of the world-famous arboretum at Castlewellan, Co Down, framed by sea and mountains
Described by Thomas Carlyle as 4a huge grey pile,’ Dromana today resembles its modest 17th-century form; Robert O’Byrne recounts the history of this house and the prominence of its formidable female line
Patricia McCarthy charts the history of the Honorable Society of King’s Inn: its members were granted the Dominican Friary of St Savipur’s by Henry VIII in 1539, and later James II held his last parliament there, before the barrister moved to their Gandon-designed headquarters on Constitution Hill, Dublin
As the Royal Hotocultural Society of Ireland celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, President of the RHSI Robert S Myerscough, recalls its foundation and reports on its plan to renovate Russborough’s walled garden
The Irish National Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin represents one of the most admirable and noble projects undertaken in the newly founded Irish Free State, writes Kevin V Mulligan
Engaging with communities and unlocking the unique story of the properties within its care lies at the heart of the Irish Heritage Trust’s ten-year history, writes Sandra Andrea O’Connell
Managing a portfolio of historic properties presents numerous challenges; Sandra Andrea O’Connell discovers how Irish Landmark Trust has fared as it marks its quarter century!
What’s in a name? Is botany an art or a science or a hybrid, muses Matthew Jebb, as he walks through The National Botanic Gardens.
Bernard Meehan explores a thousand-year-old Irish psalter on which new multispectral imaging has revealed details lost for centuries
Terence Reeves-Smyth recounts the history of Killymoon Castle, Co Tyrone, the first Irish commission of architect John Nash
Joseph McBrinn charts the history of Evie Hone’s Tullabeg windows, which illustrate scenes from the life of Christ
Rosemary Devereaux paints a picture of Mary Cottenham Yeats as a talented, resourceful artist in a variety of media
Unravelling the sequence of carving on the stones has been challenging but has been helped by the fact that there are so many examples to study, writes Elizabeth Shee Twohig
Christian Dupont reflects on the personal and political desires conveyed in two cartoons by Grace Gifford Plunkett
Sarah Gillespie recalls how the Wynne sisters of County Wicklow transformed the produce of a small woollen mill and brought it to the centre of fashion in Paris and beyond
Peter Murray traces the extraordinary life and career of Clare Sheridan, artist, journalist and confidante of Charlie Chaplin
Prompted by the splendid facsimiles of the Irish Parliamentary bindings, Judith Hill recalls the journey taken by the originals from Dublin Castle to a purpose-built repository
Christian Dupont follows the relationship between art and cultural identity as seen in two works from the collection of Burns Library at Boston College
Christian Dupont compares two embroideries illustrating an enigmatic poem by WB Yeats from the collection of Burns Library at Boston College
Peter Murray recalls the independent spirit Edith Blake, diarist and artist and one-time occupant of Myrtle Grove, Youghal, County Cork
James Horan recounts how a chance encounter led to the unravelling of some architectural mysteries in the restoration of Humewood Castle, County Wicklow
In terms of conception and achievement, historic demesnes as designed landscapes constitute the most inventive, monumental, and certainly the most complex of all artistic creations. The break up of estates through the concerted campaigns of the Land Commission, the commercially driven monocultural policies of the state forestry and latterly the incompatible demands of industrialized agriculture and stealthy spread of sterile golfing resorts means that these fragile and beautiful landscapes have come to represent the rarest and most endangered art forms. The 20th-century decline of the Dartrey demesne on the Monaghan – Cavan border might stand as one of the most egregious examples of the impacts of dispassionate and poorly conceived polices that conspired, wittingly or otherwise, to erase these creations, either in a heartbeat or with a slow and painful demise. It seems unlikely therefore that the same landscape should in recent years have become the focus of two major building restoration projects by a voluntary local community group working with state bodies, which has not only achieved the physical redemption of two exceptional works of classical architecture, but has also brought about greater awareness of the historical and cultural significance of Dartrey as a designed landscape of exceptional quality, and one worth preserving in spite of its degradation.
Peter Pearson welcomes a new chapter in the management of Johnstown Castle, County Wexford
To the Irish in America, the irony of using funds from a Fenian club to buy a set of Malton views depicting Georgian Dublin was not apparent, writes Christian Dupont
Hilary Pyle takes a fresh look at John Butler Yeats, the patriarch of Ireland’s leading artistic family.
George Berkeley is famous for his contribution to philosophical thought, but less well known for his observations on art, some of which Peter Murray examines here.
William Turner de Lond captured two significant political events during his sojourn in Ireland, examined here by Mary Jane Boland.
Lord Charlemont’s Casino provides an ideal setting for a landscape exhibition prompting Ruth Musielak to examine some favoured historical views of the vicinity
Recent excavations at Rathfarnham Castle have brought the former inhabitants into focus, prompting Simon Loftus to recall some vivid episodes from the family’s history.
James Watson could trace his family’s artistic lineage to York Minster and following his move to Cork he launched a new tradition to last a hundred years, writes Vera Ryan.
As Europe confronts its current refugee crisis, Kathryn Milligan looks back to 1916 when a Belgian artist was one of the 2,300 Belgian refugees who sought shelter in Ireland.
Proving that good design is timeless, Virginia Teehan presents a selection of rare artefacts travelling to Boston College, celebrating Irish design from the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Peter Murray examines the shifts in fortune surrounding the magnificent suite of paintings by the Guardi brothers brought to Ireland by the Earl of Bantry
William Laffan previews the exhibition ‘Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840′ which opens at the Art Institute of Chicago in March
While his father made the Grand Tour, James Hamilton 2nd Earl of Clanbrassill preferred to stay at home and make improvements on his estates, the greatest of which is Tollymore, Co Down, writes Peter Murray
Fionnuala Croke presents a selection from the panoply of objects d’arts on view at the Chester Beatty Library’s ‘A to Z’ exhibition
Anne Hodge and Peter Harbison examine the visual evidence of Daniel O’Connell’s unusual conditions of imprisonment in the Richmond Bridewell, Dublin
This summer the Casino in Marino hosts an exhibition that captures the original splendour of the lost demesne, writes Rose Anne White