01.12.2026, 18:00 P.M.
This is the tenth and concluding 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.
What’s it all for? curating the Irish country house by Frances Bailey, FSA, Freelance Curator; formerly Senior National Curator, National Trust.
Abstract: Using examples from her experience, Frances will consider why such projects might be needed and some of the challenges faced by historic houses today. Over the past half a century conservation approaches have changed enormously: what was considered good practice in the 1980s may now be reconsidered. The role historic houses play in the public domain is under scrutiny, as are the ways in which we assess their significance and relevance. At Mount Stewart, National Trust staff worked closely with a wide range of people to consider and address these issues and the role of Curator was central to the process, developing the understanding of the house’s history, of the family who created it, of its architecture and interior decoration, of its contents and collections, and in guiding decisions about its presentation, its decoration, its story and its role in the community now and into the future.
Biography: Frances Bailey retired last year after 38 years working in curatorial roles in the National Trust, principally in Northern Ireland. Prior to this she worked at the National Gallery of Ireland and then as custodian of the OPW’s Glebe Gallery in Co. Donegal, former home of painter Derek Hill, during its restoration and opening to the public. Her experience with the National Trust included many restoration and conservation projects, the most extensive being that of Mount Stewart, Co Down, over a 5-year period. As Senior National Curator she supported and advised staff across the National Trust who were facing into the re-presentation of houses in their care.
(Image: Mount Stewart's Central Entrance Hall post restoration. Photo by Frances Bailey)
This one-hour talk takes place in person at 6pm on 1st December 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: Castletown House, County Kildare. Image courtesy of the Office of Public Works)
