John Daly experiences the newly refurbished Dromoland Castle, fresh from its €20m revamp.

The future of one of the country’s iconic houses, which has been repeatedly damaged by vandals and arsonists, is likely to be decided shortly when consultants report to Cork County Council on how much it will cost to stabilise the building.

Plans to regenerate the last Georgian mansion built in Dublin — Aldborough House in the Ballybough area of the north inner city — with an office development on the site have been blocked, writes Gordon Deegan.

A “masterplan” is to be prepared to develop a former psychiatric hospital campus in Cork City after a disused unit was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

Johnny Ronan’s Ronan Group Real Estate is to appeal against Dublin City Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a 22-storey tower in the city centre.

Period dramas have us drooling over English historic houses of a grand and, often, ostentatious type, some lived in by generations of the same family, others conserved by venerable institutions like English Heritage and the National Trust.

Property developer Johnny Ronan’s planned “iconic” 22-storey Aqua Vetro tower will have an adverse and detrimental effect on the character and integrity of key buildings and architecturally-sensitive locations in Dublin, according to one objector to the plans.

Dublin City Council has given the go-ahead for a €40m plan to convert Loreto Hall, a former women’s hostel on St Stephen’s Green, into a luxury hotel.

The Irish Georgian Society has called for urgent State action to save what remains of historic Vernon Mount House in Cork, which was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

Gardaí are closing in on the Vernon Mount arsonists who torched the historic and protected Georgian villa in Cork City at the weekend.

Heritage groups have called for the full implementation of planning laws and for more state funding to protect at-risk historic buildings after one of the country’s finest Georgian villas was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

The remains of one of Ireland’s finest Georgian villas could face demolition after it was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

Fine Irish furniture, an antique pierced steel helmet reputedly owned by Sir Thomas Wentworth, the harp owned by Derek Bell of The Chieftains, and a set of bagpipes used at Fenian gatherings in West Cork gives some idea of the range and breadth of the Guinness family collections to be sold in Naas today.

Des O’Sullivan finds Ireland represented as a female figure in The Spirit of Justice under the hammer in Co Kildare.

The owners of Bantry House have said they have staved off the prospect of having to auction some of its contents although the search is continuing for a longer-term solution.

Tommy Barker revisits ‘Arundel’ 10 years since it was last on the market and witnesses an utter transformation.

DONERAILE PARK WALK

Terence Dooley

Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons will be speaking at the Hunt Museum this weekend.

One of Ireland’s most unusual libraries is set to open this week – with the world being asked what should be in its collection.

A 100% tax refund scheme which aims to rejuvenate city centres by refurbishing thousands of historical buildings is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and boost tourism numbers when it is implemented over the coming months.

Mary Leland on some recent book releases

Alarge mid-18th century Kilkenny marble Irish fireplace is a highlight at Mealy’s auction at Huntington Castle, Co Carlow next Monday, Nov 18.

When controversy erupted in the mid-1960s over plans for its construction, a revered architectural expert opined that the ESB headquarters which now stands on Dublin’s Fitzwilliam St was only replacing “one damned house after another ... a rubbish uneven series”.

Story, song and ‘a few samples’ are promised in East Cork next weekend when the 11th annual Youghal Celebrates History conference cheerfully discusses ‘From Fields of Gold — a Celebration of Irish Whiskey’.

IF you stuff most contemporary homes to the PVC gutters with period antiques, or insist on nothing but fine reproductions, drowning a brand new semi-d in scar-tissue reds and sombre library greens, the Keeping Up Appearances finish is just about odds-on.

Education correspondent Niall Murray reports on the plan to move the Children of Lir statue to make way for a memorial to victims of residential child abuse

IRELAND has lost one of its “titans and greatest champions” of the arts and heritage following the death of the last-ever Knight of Glin.

With growing interest in historic homes, Regina Sexton says Fota House has one of the best preserved kitchens in the country

A €10 MILLION plan to turn a stately mansion and its extensive grounds into a major tourist attraction rivalling the Rock of Cashel and Muckross House is to be discussed next month by Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

HISTORIC HOUSES IN PERIL

For some they were a symbol of oppression and decadence. Now they are simply a fascinating example of history brought to life, writes Mary Leland.

Irish politicians, musicians and artists are agreeing to hook-up with tourists for a pint in a bid to boost visitor numbers.

EVEN driving down this country’s rural roads, much of Ireland is hidden, more of it is simply overlooked, abandoned, or ignored. And, some of it is making its way back – as can be seen in a day in the wandering company of someone like the multi-faceted George Gossip.

FARMERS as custodians of the countryside play an invaluable role in protecting and maintaining our natural and built heritage.

HERITAGE experts have dubbed €65 million plans by rock band U2 to revamp one of Dublin’s most exclusive hotels as “execrable”.

THE Irish Georgian Society is proposing to put a historic mansion in Cork on an international list of endangered buildings in an effort to force its owner to carry out significant repairs.

Planners in Limerick have given the green light to the city’s biggest ever retail development, which will be dedicated to the memory of the world-renowned 19th century soprano, Catherine Hayes.

AN Bord Pleanála has turned down a controversial proposal to rearrange the interior of St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, Co Cork.

THESE are the scenes Cork County Council officials were unable to view — after they failed to get inside a historic mansion in Douglas.

NINE months ago I drew attention to the wall paintings by the 18th century Cork painter, Nathaniel Grogan, at Mt Vernon House in Cork, which are at the mercy of the elements.

THE controversial re-ordering of a cathedral in Co Cork is to be the subject of an An Bord Pleanála oral hearing.

THE wanton self-destruction of our country’s architectural heritage is sickening.

Dublin City Council has approved plans to construct a 32-storey tower that, if completed, would become Ireland’s tallest building.