Power and Privilege: photographs of the Big House in Ireland 1858-1922

This exhibition featured photographs of life in Ireland’s ‘Big Houses’ during the mid 1800s and early 1900s. A selection of photographs taken between 1858 and 1922 showed gardens and landscape; employees; transport; entertainment and recreation; the arts and sciences; and family life.

Some of the images were of homes that remain famous landmarks: Ashford Castle in Co Mayo; Carton House in Co Kildare, and Curraghmore, Co Waterford.  Others, such as Castleboro, Co Wexford and Moydrum Castle Co Westmeath have long since vanished. Many of these photographs had never previously been on view to the public.