Staircase Hall
Date: 23 Jul 2008
Staircase Hall
The staircase is extremely handsome and the geometrical steps, the boldest lightest and best I believe I have seen, the brass balustrade completes the whole giving an elegance quite new to me Christopher Cockerell 1825
The Portland stone staircase at Castletown is one of the largest cantilevered staircase in Ireland. It was built in 1759 under the direction of the master builder Simon Vierpyl (c.1725-1811). Prior to this the space was a shell, although a plan attributed to Lovett Pearce suggests that a circular staircase was previously intended.
Insert Pearce plan of ground floor showing staircase
The solid brass balustrade was installed by Anthony King, later Lord Mayor of Dublin. He signed and dated three of the banisters, A. King Dublin 1760. His bill for £280 survives in the household accounts. The staircase was restored in 1977, but the landing requires further structural work to make it safe for visitors.
The opulent rococo plasterwork was created by the Swiss-Italian stuccadore Philip Francini, who, with his older brother Paul, had worked at Carton and Leinster House for Lady Lousias brother-in-law, the first Duke of Leinster, as well as at Russborough in Co. Wicklow. Shells, cornucopias, dragons and masks are included in the light-hearted decoration which represents the final development of the Lafranchini style. Family portraits are also included with Tom Conolly at the foot of the stairs, and Louisa above to his right. The four seasons are represented on the piers and on either side of the arched screen.
Painting
The Bear Hunt c. 17th Attributed to Flemish artist Paul De Vos. (1596-1672)
