By Rebecca Crockett
‘GREAT Irish Interiors’ has travelled to the hills of Donegal for a fascinating look at Glenveagh Castle in a new programme airing this Thursday at 8 pm on RTE.
The programme travels around the country to follow the restoration of iconic houses and castles in the country.
Granted exclusive access to the historical restoration of the famed mansion, viewers meet the team responsible for Glenveagh’s upkeep and the effort poured into its protection.
Sorcha O’Donnell is one of the guides overseeing the care for the iconic castle which has played host to many eccentric characters during its history, from feuding landlords to elite Ivy League Professors.
Home to an extensive art collection, some of the paintings are in need of off-site restoration, while the frosty winter weather demands special care for the garden antiquities, including mythological statues shipped from Florence.
The house itself has deep ties to its local community, which suffered at the hands of the estate’s first owner Jack Adair in 1861. The County Laois native organised ruthless evictions on the land, making 244 tenants homeless.
We see this in each episode as each property grows richer, and more light is shed on the treasures and secrets stowed away in the house’s walls. We discover hidden secrets in tandem with the team as they prepare for a new era of visitors.
Now in its third season, ‘Great Irish Interiors’ is once again taking a peek at several historical restorations from around the country. Produced by Moondance Productions, the series has broadened its horizons to include some amazing properties in Northern Ireland.
This is the longest season to date with eight featured properties including, Fota House in Cork, Castle Ward in Down, Dublin’s Newbridge House, Florence Court in Fermanagh and Mount Stewart in Down.
The series visited Glebe House just outside of Letterkenny in its first series. The house and Gallery were once the home of renowned English artist Derek Hill.
‘Great Irish Interiors’ is currently airing on Thursday evenings at 8:00pm on RTÉ One, with the series finale on Thursday, 31st of October.
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