29/06/2026
Have you seen the new exhibition, Pivot Points, in the Irish Architectural Archive on Merrion Square?
The exhibition marks 50 years since the foundation of the IAA and features an extremely significant map of Howth Castle and its Demesne from about 1740. The map shows proposed alterations and additions to be made to both the castle and its landscape for Lord Howth. The map is one of the earliest examples of change of use of country estate landscapes in the 18th century. As the castle moved from a fortified residence to a grand manor house, its surrounds were altered to take on a decorative and formal appearance. This transition was found on estates all across Britain and Ireland but very little physical evidence of the planning still exists in Ireland, hence the importance of this map! It was donated from the Howth collections to the IAA in 2024 and has been wonderfully conserved by their team for the purpose of display and research.
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