From the mid-eighteenth century Irish country houses flourished. Landowners generated easy income leasing land to tenants. As their wealth increased, so did the size of their country mansions. But factors such as the Great Famine, land reforms, the increasing expense of maintenance and the IRA targeting the houses during the War of Independence took their toll. Gradually, abandoned and forgotten, the houses sank into decay. In 2008 Tarquin Blake found his first abandoned 'Big House' and so began exploring the lost architecture of Ireland. Here, he documents what is left of fifty mansion houses with brief histories and beautiful photographs of the haunting ruins. Included are Mountpelier Lodge (Dublin Hellfire Club), the birthplaces of Daniel O'Connell and the Duke of Wellington, and the one-time homes of Grace O'Malley and of brewing family the Smithwicks of Kilkenny. The inclusion of details from the 1911 Census offers a glimpse of the closing days of the aristocracy and their mansions.
 Trade In this Item for up to £6.75
Trade in Abandoned Mansions of Ireland for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £6.75, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'Elegiac and beautiful book' --The Irish Times
'Handsome volume' --Marcus Binney, The Times
'Visually exciting'-- Books Ireland
'Hauntingly beautiful pictures…are accompanied by fascinating historical information' --Irish American News
'For anyone with an interest in ruins of the past and present, Abandoned Mansions of Ireland should prove to be an endlessly fascinating coffee table work' --The Midwest Book Review
'Handsome volume' --Marcus Binney, The Times
'Visually exciting' --Books Ireland
'Handsome volume' --Marcus Binney, The Times
'Visually exciting'-- Books Ireland
'Hauntingly beautiful pictures…are accompanied by fascinating historical information' --Irish American News
'For anyone with an interest in ruins of the past and present, Abandoned Mansions of Ireland should prove to be an endlessly fascinating coffee table work' --The Midwest Book Review
'Handsome volume' --Marcus Binney, The Times
'Visually exciting' --Books Ireland
About the Author
Tarquin Blake, architectural explorer, photographer and historian, is the author of the website www.AbandonedIreland.com. He has extensively explored the architectural relics of Ireland and his passion is unravelling and documenting the mysteries of lost heritage. He lives in County Cork.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By henry george
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book,and the photography is amazing, it is many years since I have gained so much information and enjoyment all in one book. I think anyone who loves Ireland and is interested in its history will gain hours of pleasure.
It is a book to treasure and keep picking up to re read and look at the photographs.
It is a book to treasure and keep picking up to re read and look at the photographs.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book that truly captures the dereliction of these once beautiful homes
29 Jan 2011
By Joy Rawlin
Format:Hardcover
I was immediately drawn into the wonderful photography within these pages. The evocation of a lost period of stunning architecture and elegance has been picked out in high definition 360o photography providing us with a glimpse into what were once Ireland's most distinguished homes. Anyone with an interest in Architectue, history, photography or a link to these houses, could not fail to be captured by this beautiful work of art, combined with thoroughly researched information on the occupants, their interesting links and lifestyles.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By willow
Format:Hardcover
I really love this book. It is a book that I know I will go back to every now and again. The photography is beautiful and it leaves you wanting more to read and see. Willow.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classy ooking book for browsing.
Enjoyable piece of nostalgia and yesterday. Lovely photographs and evocative of days gone by. Avery large book which needs a solid surface to view.
Published 5 months ago by phonehomeandrew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very, very good, a beautiful and worthwhile book, but....
This is a fine book, well worth owning for anyone involved in the preservation of historic and culturally important sites. Read more
Published 7 months ago by San Franciscan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings-rather disappointed
The photography seems faultless, I love the concept, but having devoured every detail of the Abandoned Ireland website and revelled in the uncommon details and stories accompanying... Read more
Published 14 months ago by fluffy wiccan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful photo's, interesting information.
This is a great book, thoroughly enjoying flicking through looking at the pictures and picking up the interesting little tidbits about the house and families underneath all the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Monty Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars
excellent book, but!
I like this book. The photographs are excellent but I think it could have be massively improved by including a photograph of each house in its heyday. Read more
Published on 13 May 2011 by Malcolm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative & beautiful
A lovely book. Bigger than expected.
The one question we all ask when seeing a derilect beautiful builing is: "How did it end up like this? Read more
The one question we all ask when seeing a derilect beautiful builing is: "How did it end up like this? Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by Mr. V. Walsh
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing!
I actually sent this book back, which is something I never do!! I guess I was just expecting something more - basically this book is lots of photos of ruins and it's all a bit... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2011 by Nancy Marlowe
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well researched and informative book with outstanding photography.
After purchasing this book as a gift, i had to also buy a copy for myself, as i was just so impressed by its content. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2010 by Bernard Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book
Abandoned Mansions of Ireland is a delightful book which illustrates
and records the histories of many of the fine houses of Ireland which are now lost for ever. Read more
and records the histories of many of the fine houses of Ireland which are now lost for ever. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2010 by Stawell Heard
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Architecture > Types of Architecture > Residential Buildings > Houses & Flats
- Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Architecture > Types of Architecture > Residential Buildings > Palaces, Chateaux & Country Houses
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Ireland
- Books > Home & Garden > Interior Design & Decoration > Styles & Decor
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
