Howth Castle
At Howth Castle, Lutyens added a library tower and granite loggia in harmony with the existing fabric, opened a circular garden doorway to a round pool, reinstated the hall’s open hearth with painted map and wind dial above, and formed a new dining room by combining and reusing three smaller panelled rooms.
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Description
When Mr. St. Lawrence entered upon his inheritance he followed his forefathers’ tradition by setting about building and added a library tower, designed by Mr. Lutyens, at the south-west end of the wing containing the drawing-room. In this, as indeed in all the new work, the general outlines and character of the older building were closely followed. Immediately adjoining it was an old walled garden in which Mr. Lutyens opened an attractive round doorway leading by a broad paved way to a round pool. In the angle formed by this wing and the part of the castle which runs north and south a small loggia was built of the local granite, the refractory nature of which Mr. Lutyens has recognised by treating the material in the simplest possible way. One of the oriel windows added at the same time in the kitchen court is also illustrated.
The general work of reparation of the interior revealed in the hall fireplace an old elliptical arch which enabled the original open hearth to be used once more. Above it Mr. Macdonald Gill had painted, under Mr. Lutyens direction, a charming conventional map of Howth and the neighbouring sea and a dial which records the movement of a wind gauge. The dining-room is a delightful apartment which has been formed by throwing together three little rooms, the panelling of which was carefully re-used. (Weaver, 1916, p.21)
Bibliography
WEAVER, L., 1916. COUNTRY HOMES GARDENS OLD & NEW: HOWTH CASTLE, IRELAND, THE SEAT OF Mr. Julian Gaisford St. Lawrence. Country Life (Archive : 1901 – 2005), 40(1017), pp. 14-21., Weaver, L. (1913) Houses and Gardens by E L Lutyens. London: Country Life.
Hicks, D. (2013) Irish Country Houses: A chronicle of change. Cork: Collins Press.
