Inside – issue 90

Georgian Home – Back to Life

  Imagine your own pier on the River Moy, your own stables and yard, and room after room in which to play hide and seek. This house, built in the early 1800’s, is any child’s (and adults!) dream come true, and it certainly was for Laurent Billet from La Maison Chic, when the owners asked him to help them decorate their original Georgian home after a complete refurbishment. Laurent’s challenge was to respect the Georgian design and layout of the rooms, while accommodating a young couple and their children, yet adhering as much as possible to the period of the house. He did not want to create a stuffy and old atmosphere in this home. Laurent achieved this by alternating period looking wallpapers with plain silk curtains while painting the rooms in neutral colours mixed with lightly patterned floral patterns.

Anne of the Taibhdhearc, Queen of the Castle

One of the hidden gems on the outskirts of Galway City is Killeen Castle, a beautifully restored medieval tower with a fine-size farmhouse attached. The Tower is listed as one of the hidden castles of Ireland and although not overtly visible, it is located just a short distance off the Tuam Road a few miles outside Galway City. It has been the home of Anne McCabe, the newly appointed Artistic Director of An Taibhdhearc, for the last twelve years. It is one of the finest examples of a medieval tower house in the county, with most of the stone work including the spiral staircase totally intact since the 1500’s. The history of Killeen Castle spans the centuries. Killeen Castle passed from the Burkes in the 1500’s to the Blakes in the 1700’s and to Alec Finn  of De Dannan in the 1990’s.

Architecturally Designed Home

Upstairs Downstairs have teamed up with Sean Dockery Associates to bring you some very useful tips when it comes to engaging an Architect. Our project for this issue was an architecturally designed family home in Galway City.

Architects are highly skilled and professionally trained to turn your aspirations into reality. A registered RIAI architect is a specialist consultant qualified in the design and procurement of buildings and can advise from initial ideas, site selection through to completion of your house. Many architects are qualified Building Energy Rating Assessors and some have qualifications in conservation and historic building preservation. When choosing an architect, whether for a new house, an alteration, extension or renovation, you should see samples of their work and get their advice on the services they offer relative to your brief and budget.