Great Irish Interiors is back with a new 8-part series following the fascinating work of historical interior experts as they transform Fota House, Castle Ward, Newbridge House, Glenveagh Castle, Florence Court, Malahide Castle, Mount Stewart and Dublin Castle.
Great Irish Interiors Season 3 Overview
Following the success of season one and two of Great Irish Interiors, once again, Moondance Productions have been granted exclusive access to chart a number of historical interior restorations around the country, through the eyes of those involved. Now entering its longest season yet, with an eight-episode run, Great Irish Interiors has broadened its horizons to include the incredibly stunning properties of Northern Ireland.
We follow the teams as they endeavour to return the interiors of these iconic houses and castles to the condition and style they were in at the height of their glory. With the experts often just working from archives, and very little photographic evidence, they have to be creative, but accurate. They scour records and artefacts as the history of the houses unravel before their eyes. These buildings are frozen in time, a moment encapsulating the immense wealth, stunning craftsmanship and deep-rooted connections of Irish history.
Over the course of each episode, the featured properties grow into a richer and more immersive institution. Paintings are conserved, experts evaluate treasures stowed away and rooms are restored for the public eye. We discover hidden secrets in tandem with the team as they prepare for a new era of visitors.
Episode 1: 12th Sept: Great Irish Interiors – Fota House 8.00pm, RTÉ One
Originally a hunting lodge, Fota House became a permanent residence in the 1820s and today is a centrepiece of Fota Island in County Cork. Martina Madden is the Museum Standards & Property Coordinator, and she is welcoming the grandchild of the last resident of the house back to share his memories, and surprise her with some of his own materials. As they relive his youth, plenty of work needs to be carried out on the building itself. Works to remedy dry rot revealed a secret window that now needs shutters, while the entire roof needs to be replaced to preserve the historic interiors. With a hard deadline for completion nearing, the team must also make sure that the small population of bats upstairs is unharmed in the process.
