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Other houses in Ireland can be credited
to Cassels, including
in Enniskerry County Wicklow, Carton House in Maynooth
County Kildare, Hazelwood House in Sligo, Russborough
House in Blessington County Wicklow and Leinster House
in Dublin City, as well as the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin
City and St John's Church of Ireland in Sligo.
James Wyatt was employed to complete Westport
House in 1778. He is also responsible for laying out the
town of Westport, one of Ireland's planned towns. The
date 1778 can be seen on the south side of the house.
The interior of the house boasts some of his best work
in the ceilings, cornices and fireplaces. But it's the
dining room that is said to be the finest remaining example
of his work. Doors throughout the house are made of mahogany,
the wood of which was brought back from the family's Jamaican
estate.
There are many stunning rooms on display,
most of which still retain their original contents and
may be of interest to visitors. Some of these include
the portraits of the 1st Earl of Altamont by Sir Joshua
Reynolds; the Right Honourable Denis Browne who was the
brother of the 1st Marquess of Sligo and a member of Grattan's
Parliament by Beechy; Howe Peter who was the second Marquess
of Sligo who spent four months in an English prison for
bribing English seamen to his ship full of antiques from
Greece to Westport during war time. Howe Peter was friends
with George IV and Lord Byron, the poet. There's another
portrait of Earl Howe, Admiral of the Fleet and father
of the 1st Marchioness of Sligo, painted by John Singleton
Copley. There are a number of landscapes painted by James
Arthur O'Connor, and other works by Barret, Brooks, Chalon,
Gibson, Lavery and Opie. There are also a number of James
Wyatt drawings on display, along with some of those of
his son, Benjamin, who also worked on the house.
In other parts of the house, visitors can
view collections of old Irish and English silver, including
Irish "potato" or dish rings from the 18th century,
Waterford crystal and many old Irish books in the library.
A Mayo Legion flag was brought to Ireland by General Humbert
when he invaded the country in 1798 and has been at Westport
House since the time it was occupied by his troops.
The house was built on the ruins of an O'Malley
castle, the foundations of which can be seen in the house's
basement, known as the Dungeons. The Browne family are
direct descendants of Grace O'Malley, the 16th century
Pirate Queen. Michael Cooper designed the statue of this
incredible woman which now stands on Westport House grounds.
The Gardens and Country Park
The Browne's are one of very few families in Ireland who
still retain their ancestral home and have opened it to
visitors as a way to maintain the heritage of not just their
family, but also a great part of Ireland's history. Visitors
are welcome and encouraged to stroll around the estate to
experience the stunning parkland setting with a lake, terraces,
gardens and magnificent views of Clew Bay, Achill Island,
Clare Island, the Atlantic Ocean and Ireland's holy mountain,
Croagh Patrick.
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The Grand Foyer
The Long Gallery
The Library
Grace O'Malley Monument
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limited access within the house - garden and park include
paths 