Russborough House
| County: | Co. Wicklow |
| Tel: | 045-865 239 |
| Fax: | 045-865 054 |
| Email: | russborough@eircom.net |
Russborough is the finest house in Ireland open to the public. Built between 1740 and 1750 in the palladian style by Richard Castle (Cassells) with fine stucco ceilings by the Lafranchini brothers.
Sir Alfred and Lady Beit bought Russborough in 1952 having seen an advertisement for it in Country Life magazine. In 1976 Sir Alfred set up the Alfred Beit Foundation, an art foundation and education trust. He threw open the house to the public and guided tours were soon organised. These have continued during the summer months ever since.
The House which is beautifully maintained and lavishly furnished, is home to the Beit Collection of paintings and contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and silver.
The Maze is open every day throughout the season.
General Information
| Address: | Blessington, Co. Wicklow |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 045-865 239 |
| Fax: | 045-865 054 |
| Email: | russborough@eircom.net |
| Website: | http://www.russborough.ie |
| Location: | 20 miles from Dublin on N81, 2 miles south of Blessington |
| Season: | April to end October |
| Open Times: | Apr & Oct: Sun & BHols: 10.00-17.00 / May-Sept: Daily: 10.00-17.00 |
| Tours: | Duration: 45 minutes Languages: English (Translations available in French, German, Italian & Spanish |
| Booking Contact: | Marian Kelly |
| Manager: | Marian Kelly |
| Average Visit Length: | 2 hours |
| Entrance Fees: | Adult: €10.00 / Student / OAP: €8.00 Child (U12): €5.00 |
| Restaurant: | Hot & Cold Meals & Refreshments available all year round. Seats 60. Groups meals |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | There is a recently extended craft & gift shop including Russborough brands |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Italian & Spanish |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | No |
| Other: | A number of arts & crafts workshops will be open at various times during the year including a bog oak sculptor, candle maker, artist & weaver and a blacksmith with working forge. Products available to purchase. |
Russborough - West Wing Fire
Russborough is to reopen for guided tours on Sunday 14th March 2010.
Following the fire in the west wing of Russborough late on Sunday 7 February a detailed assessment of the damage has now been made.
Before the fire, work was in progress to renovate the wing to provide unique holiday accommodation, which it is intended, should be managed by the Irish Landmark Trust. All of the contents of the wing had been removed and the doors, staircases and chimney pieces protected by the contractor with heavy plastic sheeting. The cause of the fire is not yet fully understood, but the forensic engineers investigating the incident agree that it was accidental and that it probably started in the roof space at the west end of the wing, above the brick vaulting of the former stables.
Remarkably, given the intensity of the fire, the external walls, windows and carved stone urns have all survived fully intact, as have all of the historic joinery, decorative plasterwork and chimney pieces.
While the repair costs will be considerable, they are likely to be less than was first feared. Apart from the roof carpentry almost no historic fabric of significance has been lost, and that which has – timber, plaster, slate and lead, is eminently replaceable.
