homes historical laois

Ballyfin house is possibly the finest neo-classical houses in the country. Built in 1821-6 in Slieve Bloom sandstone by Sir Charles Coote to the designs first of Dominic Madden (best known for Tuam Cathedral) and then Sir Richard Morrison and his son William Vitruvius. On entering by the tetrastyle ionic portico and through the formal entrance hall one is confronted by a magnificent suite of rooms.

Adjoining the library is a superb Richard Turner conservatory. The grounds were lan...

A magnificent neo-classical house designed by James Gandon in 1790, on the same magnificent scale as his Custom House, for John Dawson 1st Earl of Portarlington. The construction begun in 1790 and additions were made at different stages. The fashionable English architect Lewis Vulliamy added the north front portico with four giant ionic columns in 1834. The present owner Mr. Chomeley-Harrison has magnificently restored and refurbished Emo Court.

The domed rotunda at Emo Court, insp...