Description:
Detached eleven-bay three-storey country house flanked by two-storey wings built in the 1770s that forms part of an interesting group of demesne related structures, including stables, outbuildings, gate lodges, estate workers’ houses, and a bridge. It was designed by George Semple for Sir Thomas Taylor, the 1st Earl of Bective. The subtle breakfronts of the entrance elevation are interesting architectural features of the building. The former house retains many original features and materials, such as the slate roofs, carved stone doorcases, and timber sash windows. Many interior features designed by Robert Adam survive.
For more information, see "Headfort, Co. Meath – A Robert Adam Interior Rediscovered", Donough Cahill, Executive Director IGS, published in Ireland’s Antiques and Period Properties.
Grants Awarded:
2009: To celebrate the Society’s 50th anniversary, events held by our Chapters in New York, Palm Beach and London raised c. €180,000 to support the restoration of the original decorative scheme of the ‘Eating Parlor’, the greatest of Robert Adam’s rooms in Headfort. Architect: Una Ni Mhearain of Consarc Design; historic paints specialist, Richard Ireland.
2022: €4,000 grant through the IGS London Chapter towards the repair of windows. Conservation architect, Geraldine Gaughran in consultation with Úna Ni Mhearain; surveyor, Jack Blakiston Houston; contractor, Seamus Martin (Sash Window Repair Ltd.).
2024: €1,000 grant through the IGS London Chapter towards a window repair project. Conservation architect, Úna Ni Mhearain Consarc Group; contractor, Brian Hough.
NIAH Listing:
https://www.buildingsofireland...
References in IGS Bulletins & IGS Journals:
‘The Milltown Collection: reconstructing an eighteenth-century picture-hang’
Author: Aidan O’Boyle
Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies Vol XIII — 2010
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=182
‘Irish Civic Planting, c. 1740 – c. 1980’
Author: Patrick Bowe
Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies Vol XI — 2008
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=160
‘The White Quarry, Ardbraccan’
Author: Tony Hand
Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies Vol VIII — 2005
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=574
‘The traditional Irish farmhouse and cottage garden’
Author: Patrick Bowe
Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies Vol III — 2000
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=43
‘In Search of Bossi’
Author: Conor O’Neill
Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies Vol I — 1998
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=23
‘A Database of Irish Architects 1720-1940’
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XXXVIII 1996 Issue 1
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=428
‘New Light on Three Eighteenth-Century Cartographers: Herman Moll, Thomas Moland, and Henry Pratt’
Author: J.H. Andrews
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XXXV 1992 Issue 1
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=425
'Visitors’ Book’
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XVII 1975 Issue 1
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=402
‘Irish Georgian Society’
Author: Desmond Guinness
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XV 1972 Issue 2
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=395
‘Francis Johnston, Architect, 1760-1829’
Author: Edward McParland
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XII 1969 Issue 3
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=388
‘Irish Georgian Society’
Author: Desmond Guinness
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XII 1969 Issue 1
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=386
‘Progress at Castletown’
Irish Georgian Society Bulletin XI 1968 Issue 2
https://search.igsjournal.ie/single-search?rule1=and&terms1=headfort&field1=all&from_pub_year=1958&to_pub_year=2024&pdf_type=Select+publication+type&pdf_id=384