homes historical ireland

The Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. City Government has existed in Dublin since 1172 and the Mansion House has been the centre of Dublin's civic hospitality since 1715.
A splendid building, the Mansion House boasts many fine rooms and features and has established for itself a reputation of quality to compare with other renowned Dublin attractions, such as Trinity College, the National Art Gallery and City Hall.

On the 25th April 1715, Du...

Built in 1706, it stands behind a limestone arch in a quiet cobbled yard. The building is the oldest guildhall in Ireland and was used by various trade groups including hosiers, saddlers and barber-surgeons as well as tailors.

It also hosted many political meetings - Wolfe tone addressed a public United Irishmen rally here before the 1798 rebellion. The building closed in the early 1960's due to neglect, but a successful appeal by Desmond Guinness saw the hall completely refurbish...

The Geraldine Earls of Desmond founded the town of Newcastlewest in the late 13th century. Most of the surviving remains of the medieval town date back to the 15th century, including Desmond Hall, for although it was built earlier most of the building dates from this period.

The two-story building has a small turret at one corner and some well preserved window niches on the upper floor. The grounds also include ‘The Great Hall’, a one story banqueting hall....

A 17th century artistan's dwelling. It is presented as an indication of the lifestyle of the day....

Once one of the most elegant of Dublin's squares, Mountjoy Square suffered severely from neglect and is now in the process of restoration.
It was developed between 1792 and 1818 and named after the man who planned it, Luke Gardiner, the first Viscount ofMountjoy.
Michael Stapleton and Charles Thorp were among the designers and some of the houses have very fine plasterwork....

A sweathouse was a type of early sauna, used in Ireland in 18th and 19th centuries, but its origins may date back much further. Tirkane sweathouse is in a secluded area and is set into the side of a small leafy valley. Sweathouses were largely abandoned after 1851, although some are said to have been used up to 1936. There are only a few such sweathouses remaining in Northern Ireland....

A 250 year old traditional mud fisherman's cottage on the western shores of Lough Neagh in the townland of Aneeterbeg....

Dating from the 17th century, this is the only example of an Irish longhouse still lived in by a family. The house is steeped in history and features works of art and curios. In the yard there is horse drawn farm machinery and a pets corner. The primeval Garranon Oak Wood, which provided the timbers for Westminster Hall in London, also forms part of the estate.

In the closed season only group bookings are taken.
Disabled facilities: Guide dogs permitted. Assistance may b...

This is the house in which Colonel Thomas J. Kelly, who escaped being hanged for his part in the freeing of the Manchester Martyrs, lived, it is situated in the Square. Colonel Kelly luckily escaped to New York while the other members; Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, the Manchester Martyrs, were hanged.

It is now a public house but still bears the name Kelly's. A plaque was erected on the front of the premises in memory of Colonel Kelly....