Episode 2: 19th Sept: Great Irish Interiors – Castle Ward 8.00pm, RTÉ One
Castle Ward perches on the southern shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. Built in the 1760s by Bernard Ward and his wife Lady Anne Ward, the house is famous for its dual architecture and one of Ireland’s biggest ornamental canals. The entrance side of the house is done in a classical Palladian style, while the opposite side is of the Georgian gothic style, and this precedent is apparent throughout the house.
Though Lady Ann left soon after the house was complete, Collections and House Manager Kris Reid has tracked down a portrait of her to return her presence to the house. While he organises the purchase, the rest of the team unboxes a mid-1800s military uniform for display and meets with locals who lived alongside the last residents.
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.
In this season of Great Irish Interiors we visit Fota House, Castle Ward, Newbridge House, Glenveagh Castle, Florence Court, Malahide Castle, Mount Stewart and Dublin Castle.