Powerscourt House
800 years of History at Powerscourt
Where Powerscourt House stands today there was once a 13th century medieval castle, owned by the Le Power Family from which ‘Powerscourt’ takes its name. Powerful Irish families including the O’Tooles and the Fitzgeralds battled for possession of the castle and its lands over the succeeding centuries. In 1603 a new era began at Powerscourt, when Richard Wingfield was granted Powerscourt Castle and its lands as a reward for his military achievements by Queen Elizabeth. The story goes that Marshall Wingfield visited Queen Elizabeth after battle to pay his respects. The Queen said to him: “Well Sir Richard, what is to be your reward?” He bowed, and said “The scarf that Your Majesty wears will be sufficient reward for me.” Upon which the Queen placed the scarf over his shoulder. In addition to the scarf, Richard was knighted and received Powerscourt Estate as his reward. His descendants were to remain at Powerscourt for over 350 years.
Palladian Influences at Powerscourt
In 1730 the 1st Viscount Powerscourt (of the third creation) commissioned the architect Richard Castle to build Powerscourt House, a 68 room mansion which was completed in 1741. The mansion was designed around the medieval castle in the style of Palladian architecture which is based on the formal classical temple architecture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The north front was adapted to present a grand entrance in the Palladian manner, while the south and front faced the gardens and were initially only two storeys in height. An extra storey was added in 1787 and further major alterations were made in the late 19th century. The house contained some of the finest 18th century interiors in Ireland and was one of the country's most beautiful mansions.
Tragedy at Powerscourt
Tragically in the early hours of 4th November 1974 a fire broke out on the top floor of Powerscourt House and by the morning the main part of the house was a roofless shell. No one was injured, but all of the principal reception rooms and bedrooms were destroyed. The walls of the main house, revealing stonework dating back to the 16th century, stood as a stark reminder of the fire for over twenty years.
Powerscourt House Today
After the fire, Powerscourt House was restored and re-opened in 1996, although not to its original glory. The house is now home to the best of Irish design in gifts, clothes, and furniture in the Avoca and Global Village Stores. The Terrace Café offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. Visitors to Powerscourt can also enjoy Tara's Palace, a museum for children, on the upper floor of the House. Powerscourt House is once again a living, vibrant place for our visitors to enjoy.
Read about the History of Powerscourt!
Click here to read "A Description and History of Powerscourt by Viscount Powerscourt, 1903
Read a First Hand Account of the fire at Powerscourt by clicking here.
