Robert O’Byrne aka The Irish Aesthete, “The Irish Country House: A New Vision” Talk & Dinner

Robert O'Byrne
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The Irish Country House: A New Vision

Join us for what promises to be a fascinating, fun and memorable evening with Robert O’Byrne aka The Irish Aesthete. Robert will give a talk entitled The Irish Country House: A New Vision which will be followed by dinner in the dining room.

For more than two centuries, the familiar image of the Irish country house has been one of dishevelment and decay. However, in recent decades an alternative vision has come to the fore: one of rescue, restoration and renewal. Historic houses across Ireland are being rediscovered and brought back to life as family homes. Join author and architectural historian Robert O’Byrne as he discusses some of these properties and tells the stories of their decline and recovery.

Robert O’Byrne is a writer and lecturer specialising in the fine and decorative arts, and the author of more than a dozen books. A former Vice-President of the Irish Georgian Society, he is currently a trustee of a number of charitable organisations including the Apollo Foundation and the Artists Collecting Society. For 14 years he wrote a monthly column for Apollo magazine, and he has also contributed to The Burlington Magazine and the Irish Arts Review. Since 2012 he has written an award-winning blog, www.theirishaesthete.com and last year he produced a collection of his own photographs: The Irish Aesthete:Buildings of Ireland, Lost and Found. His most recent book is The Irish Country House: A New Vision published by Rizzoli.

The evening will kick-off at 7pm with a complimentary Bertha’s Revenge Rhubarb Martini on arrival, followed by the talk. Guests will then move through to the dining room for a 3-course communal dinner hosted by Robert Justin and Jenny. The gardens here at Ballyvolane House will be stunning at that time of year and please feel free to come early and have a stroll around the gardens beforehand.

  • Date: Sunday, 4th May 2025
  • Start Time: 7pm cocktails, followed by the talk, then dinner
  • Price: €80.00 per person to include arrival cocktail, talk and a 3-course dinner (excluding wines)
  • To book tickets: Click the button above to book online or please phone 025 36349 (office hours) or email info@ballyvolanehouse.ie.

Hope you can join us!

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