17.11.2026, 18:00 P.M.
This is the eighth
talk in the Curating the Irish Country House autumn 2026 talks
programme. The talks programme provides considerations of presentation and
preservation of the Irish country house in the 21st century from public and
private perspectives from both curators and custodians.
Preserving and Presenting Castletown by Mary Heffernan, General Manager Castletown, National Historic Properties, Office of Public Works and David Sheehan, Chairman of the Castletown Collection and Director of Sheehan & Barry Architects.
Abstract: Since it’s gifting of the house and some lands to the Irish State in 1994, the Castletown Foundation, by agreements entered into, has worked in close co-operation with the OPW in the following areas; original research into the Conolly family and their occupation of the house from 1723-1996, original research into the decorative arts of the period and the Conolly family’s direct involvement, the conservation and presentation of the historic interiors and landscape of Castletown, the accommodation of specific collections, where appropriate, into the fabric of the house, the acquisition of historic artefacts related to the house, previously sold or lost. The Foundation directors are chosen from a broad range of interests and experience in historic research and conservation of the built environment, both from the academic and outside world.
The talk will cover the following areas; an overview of the conservation and presentation work achieved at Castletown over the past decade; This to include the Red Drawing Room, Lady Kildare Room, Ground and first floor West galleries, the Long Gallery, Tom Conolly Study. Also, the recent research of the painting cycle in the Long Gallery, the collecting of Lady Louisa Conolly through portraiture; likes and likenesses, the extended Conolly family circle from the mid to late 18th century, the life of Lady Louisa Conolly and her apartment at Castletown. Future works to the Dining Room, Long Gallery and Louisa Conolly apartment will be outlined. Important acquisitions and loans by the OPW and the Castletown Foundation over the past two decades.
Mary Heffernan works in the National Historic Properties Unit of OPW; Her work includes the research and presentation of several of Ireland’s most important Country House interiors including Farmleigh, Castletown, Dublin Castle, Rathfarnham Castle, Emo Court, Ormond Castle, Doneraile Court and Illnacullin. Mary has co-curated and produced several important research exhibitions and catalogues including Paradise Lost at Casino Marino, On a Pedestal at Castletown, For the Love of the Master – a response to the work of Piranesi at Dublin Castle and Casino Marino, Meditation on Plate at the Casino Marino. Mary has produced a large number of Exhibitions for OPW at Farmleigh Gallery, Coach House Gallery, the State Apartment Galleries and the Gallery spaces at Rathfarnham Castle.
David Sheehan is a Conservation architect Grade 1 and founding member of Sheehan & Barry Architects, Dublin. He has worked, since 1978, on the conservation of many of Ireland’s premier historic properties. These include, Newman House, Dublin, Russborough’s House, Co Wicklow, Curraghmore House, Co Waterford, Ardbraccan House and Stackallen House in Co Meath, Belfast Harbour Offices, Northern Ireland. In addition, he has been involved in the conservation of numerous churches. His interests in particular, include the conservation of vernacular buildings. More recent interests are in the nature; conserving gardens, trees and woodlands. In 2007, David became a director of the Castletown Foundation. He is presently Chairman of the Foundation. 4 Since it’s gifting of the house and some lands to the Irish State in 1994, the Castletown Foundation, by agreements entered into, has worked in close co operation with the OPW in the following areas; original research into the Conolly family and their occupation of the house from 1723-1996, THE CASTLETOWN FOUNDATION Castletown House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Tel: (01) 628 8252 Directors: David Sheehan (Chairperson) – Roddy Feely (Secretary) – Frances Bailey Prof Christine Casey – Dr Alison Fitzgerald – Philip Jones – Dr Conor Lucey – Adrian Masterson Pat Murray – Prof Finola O’Kane Crimmins – June Stuart – Dr Patrick Walsh Patrons: Christopher Moore – Matt McNulty Charity No. 5726 2 original research into the decorative arts of the period and the Conolly family’s direct involvement, the conservation and presentation of the historic interiors and landscape of Castletown, the accommodation of specific collections, where appropriate, into the fabric of the house, the acquisition of historic artefacts related to the house, previously sold or lost. The Foundation directors are chosen from a broad range of interests and experience in historic research and conservation of the built environment, both from the academic and outside world. The talk will cover the following areas; An overview of the conservation and presentation work achieved at Castletown over the past decade; This to include the Red Drawing Room, Lady Kildare Room, Ground and first floor West galleries, the Long Gallery, Tom Conolly Study. Also, the recent research of the painting cycle in the Long Gallery, the collecting of Lady Louisa Conolly through portraiture; likes and likenesses, the extended Conolly family circle from the mid to late 18th century, the life of Lady Louisa Conolly and her apartment at Castletown. Future works to the Dining Room, Long Gallery and L Louisa Conolly apartment will be outlined. Important acquisitions and loans by the OPW and the Castletown Foundation over the past two decades. Images of the Red Drawing Room, Lady Kildare Room, West galleries-ground and first floors, Tom Conolly Study. Also, some important acquisitions and loans. All will be accompanied by captions and credits.
This one-hour talk takes place in person at 6pm on 17th November 2026 in the City Assembly House, 58 South William Street, Dublin 2, as well as live online.
Subscribers will be able to attend the talk in person at the IGS's City Assembly House or online live through Zoom. Additionally, all talk subscribers will receive a recording of the talk which can be watched for a two-week period after the date of issue. Please note that after the two week period the talk link will expire and cannot be reissued.
There will be a Q&A at the end of the talk. Those watching the talk live online can submit their questions through the Zoom Q&A function.
It is possible to book talks individually (€15 each) or book for the whole course for a discounted rate (€120).
The Society would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's National Built Heritage Services of the Society's Conservation Education Programme of which Curating the Irish County House talks are an action. Additionally the Society wishes to thank The Heritage Council for their wider support of the Society's work through its Heritage Organisation Support Fund 2026.
(Image: Red Drawing, Castletown House, County Kildare. Image courtesy of the Office of Public Works)
