03.11.2026, 18:00 P.M.
This is the sixth 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.
Emo Court – Reinterpreting an Irish Country House Interior by Dr Aidan O Boyle, part of the curatorial and collections management team at the National Historic Properties branch of the Office of Public Works.
Abstract: Emo Court has been a work in progress since the 1790s. This lecture will explore the complex architectural history and evolution of the house and its interiors from the late 18th century to the present day. It will also explore the roll research has played in influencing the recent reinterpretation of the interiors.
Dr Aidan O Boyle holds a doctorate in the History of Art from Trinity College Dublin. He specialized in the history of Irish art collections 1750-1950. He has worked for the Metropolitan Museum and has many years’ experience in the heritage sector. He was previously employed on the restoration and reinterpretation of the interiors of Emo Court, Co Laois. He is currently working on the reinterpretation of the 18th century interiors at Rathfarnham Castle.
This one-hour talk takes place in person at 6pm on 3rd 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: Entrance Hall of Emo Court, County Laois. Courtesy of Dr Aidan O'Boyle)
