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Santry Court

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Santry Court was a Georgian house and demesne in Santry , north County Dublin built between 1703-09 on the site of an earlier medieval residence.

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44-487: The Santry estate appears to have been acquired by Richard Barry, a Dublin merchant and alderman sometime in the early 1600s. The Barry's were originally an ancient Cork family although both his father and grandfather were wealthy Dublin merchants. A substantial house was already on the grounds by 1664 when it was taxed for eleven hearths. It would have originally been the Norman manorial settlement of Adam de Feypo . The house

88-603: A Baronet (of Templeogue and Santry House) in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 27 December 1814. Lady Compton Domvile was involved in developing a model village in Santry around 1840 in a Swiss style for estate labourers. Ninian Niven is recorded as laying out the formal gardens at the house in 1857 for Compton Domvile and works likely carried on after his death. Works are also recorded as being carried out at

132-596: A book storage facility for its library system. The stables of the house were only finally demolished in the 1980s while as of 2024 the walled garden still remains. Adam de Feypo Adam de Feypo is first mentioned in The Red Book of the Echequer 1166, p283 (England) as being one of the knights of Hugh de Lacy in Herefordshire, England. He was possibly a castellan of one of the de Lacy castles on

176-419: A campanile which carried an inscription which read "This house was restored to its original condition by Sir Charles C. W. Domvile Bart. The work commencing in the spring of 1857 and being completed in the spring of 1858." The house contained many important items of art and furniture including paintings by Dutch masters. Samuel Lewis, writing in 1837 notes the house was "ornamented with numerous family portraits,

220-530: A chapel dedicated to St Nicholas, a favourite Norman saint. The tithes and grants to this church were confirmed by Pope Alexander III (John, ibit.86 and Chartul. St Mary's, Dublin, i, 92.). The extent of the land in Skryne was 20,000 acres (8,000 ha) and this fertile land was bordered by the river Boyne along its west and north sides. The hill of Skryne with its castle, the only one in Adam de Feypo's fiefdom which has

264-580: A motte, is in the centre of his lands. The ancient and historical Hill of Tara lay directly to the west while to the southwest lay Killen, the 'parish' of his relative Geoffrey de Cusack . (The original 1659 map showing the Barony of Skryne and the lands of Adam de Feypo is held in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris). Adam did eventually achieve, by grants and other means, of which we know nothing, around 40,000 statute acres. His descendants used

308-467: A number of his troops and who fought alongside him. On the successful outcome, for King Henry's occupying army, Hugh de Lacy had the Kingdom of Meath and Dublin bestowed on him. Hugh then established a defensive shield around Dublin by granting land to a number of his loyal knights. As part of this cordon, Adam de Feypo was granted Santry , by the spring of 1173, before de Lacy had to go off to Normandy in

352-703: A ruined chapel in the Welsh mountains and decided to devote himself to solitary prayer and study there. After a time he was joined by others and a small religious community quickly grew. It was only natural that Adam who was an original knight of Hugh de Lacy and who had received lands from him would show his gratitude in making gifts to both Llanthony Priory in Wales and Llanthony Secunda in Gloucester, England. It should also be noted that Adam's relative Geoffrey de Cusack also gave tithes to both these priories possibly for

396-484: A style similar to great English country houses of the period. The main front doorcase was also constructed with a segmental stone pediment and ornately carved Corinthian columns at the top of a long and shallow flight of grand stone steps. About 40 years after its initial construction the house was enlarged with flanking wings in the Palladian style constructed in the same manner as the main house. Both quadrant links to

440-437: A valuable collection of historical and scriptural paintings by the best masters, and many valuable specimens of the fine arts". Most of the furniture and most valuable contents and paintings of the house were intentionally not recorded and secretly removed by Charles Domville and his servant Robert Roberts in the months and years prior to his bankruptcy in 1874 and moved to London or sold to London based brokers for onward sale in

484-1074: Is interesting to see that the early Normans like the Romans in Britain upgraded and built special roads along which to move their troops and goods. In Ireland, these were called 'royal roads' and two charters c1191 describe one which ran from Skryne to Tara (Chartul, St Mary's, Dublin, i, 97,98). During King Henry I's reign the specifications for such roads were laid down. They were constructed so that water would always drain off them. They had to be always open i.e. they could not be closed for toll, blocked or have their course changed. They had to be wide enough for two wagons to pass and most significantly for sixteen knights armed and mounted to ride side by side. The 'postal/carrier service' seems to have been very good for there were regular communications to and from King Henry in England and even Pope Clement III in Rome as witnessed by

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528-550: Is said many of the archaeological artefacts were destroyed at this time including the statue of the horse on the lawn. In 1972, 10 acres of the original estate was sold to Trinity College Dublin by the Harris family for use as its sports grounds while 2 acres were sold to the Industrial Development Agency. In 2003 much of the grounds of the original house and estate were opened as a public park. Many of

572-552: Is the most temperate of all countries. Cancer does not here drive you to take shade from the burning heat: nor does the cold of Capricorn send you rushing to the fire. You will seldom see snow here, and then it lasts only a short time. But cold weather does come with the winds here, not only from the west-north-west and north but equally from the east, the Favonius and the Zephyr. Nevertheless, they are all moderate winds and none of them

616-613: Is to say, Escrin. With these witnesses; Richard de Bellofago and Maurice the son of Gerald; Roheis his wife.', (Translated by G.H.Orpen of Trinity College, Dublin from the Norman-French, Carew Manuscript 596), Adam appears listed as one of de Lacy's chief beneficiaries – 'Of Hugh de Lacy I shall tell you How he enfeoffed his barons, Knights, serjeants and retainers And Skryne he then gave by charter To Adam de Feypo he gave it' We do know from Adam that by 1175 he had built his castle at Skryne which included within it

660-466: Is too strong. The grass is green in the fields in winter just as in summer. Consequently the meadows are not cut for fodder, nor do they build stalls for their beasts. The country enjoys the freshness and mildness of spring almost all year round. The air is so healthy that there is no disease-bearing cloud, or pestilential vapour, or corrupting breeze. The island has little use for doctors. You will not find many sick men here, except those that are actually on

704-646: The Irish House of Lords . In 1746 he was made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland . Powerscourt was responsible for commissioning the German architect, Richard Cassels , to carry out extensive remodelling work on Powerscourt House between 1731 and 1741. On 30 August 1721 Anne Usher, a daughter of Christopher Usher, of Usher's Quay, Dublin. After her death, he married Dorothy Beresford Rowley ( c.  1705 –1785) on 13 April 1727. His second wife

748-531: The London, Paris and New York markets. Following this point a sale of the remaining contents of the house was held at the property over a period of ten days. Among the items sold was a portrait of Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt (third creation) by painter Anthony Lee which was purchased by the 7th Viscount Powerscourt. Another notable item was a portrait of members of the Hellfire club made while on

792-544: The Pope's reply to one of Adam's gifts in 1188 (CSM, i, pp. 157–159) Much of the information on the characters who feature in the records of the Norman Conquest of Ireland and the years since come from ecclesiastical records and charters. What was the connection between Adam and Llanthony Priory in Wales? It all stems from a William de Lacy who was a knight of Hugh de Lacy. Around the year 1100, William came across

836-537: The Santry River, which forms the boundary of the park today, was widened to create a small pond for the boating pleasure of Georgian ladies and gentlemen who resided at, and visited, the house. In 1912 King Victor Emmanuel of Italy presented the Domvilles with a gift of 16 foreign tree species. In 1972, part of the demesne was sold to Trinity College Dublin , and was developed with sports grounds, as well as

880-576: The Welsh border. As the holdings of de Feypo in Herefordshire appear to have been modest it is no surprise that he reappears in Ireland in 1171 where there are great 'possibilities'. Why were the Early Normans drawn to Ireland? They were like all settlers interested in making a better life for themselves and enhancing their wealth. Ireland was the 'Wild West' of their day and Giraldus Cambrensis painted an attractive picture of this island. 'This

924-480: The bottom of North Great George's Street by David Norris after they had been donated to the Irish Georgian Society by the owner of the estate Robert (Pino) Harris. The main gates to the gardens were moved to the front gate of St. Brendan's Hospital, Dublin around 1940 where they remain as of 2024. The main gates of the demesne are now located at nearby Dardisdown Cemetery. A small bend in

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968-440: The buildings rapidly deteriorated from there with the remains finally demolished in 1959. Between 1957 and 1958, Morton Stadium was constructed within the grounds of the estate as Ireland's national athletics stadium. The area had earlier been leased to Clonliffe Harriers athletics club in 1956. In 1969, the estate was sold by the state to several different parties including the family of businessperson Robert (Pino) Harris. It

1012-654: The chapel of Saint Nicholas belonging to the castle of Scrin, with all churches, chapels, tithes, offerings and all other ecclesiastical benefices and all that belongs to them from the estate and seigniory of Scrin, that is to say Geoffrey de Cusack, Amauri de Feypo the elder, Walter Duff, William Garbe, A.Beg, Richard Talbot, Walter de Folevill, Robert de Aveni, Maurice de Beaufussel, Stephen de Kent, Ranulph, Robert Coci, Walter Lescuier.' Adam de Feypo, died c.1190/91, drew up instructions for his burial at St.Mary's Abbey as follows (Churtul. St.Mary's, Dublin, i, 93) Let it be known to all, both those now living and posterity, to whom

1056-464: The colonisation opportunities were enormous which included the prospect of much land. He eventually ended up with over 40,000 acres. Not only was there status but adventure as well as the profits from corn, animals and timber and the abundance of cheap labour. When Hugh de Lacy was involved in the Conquest of Ireland in 1171 with Strongbow , Adam de Feypo was one of the knights he placed in charge of

1100-630: The customary title Baron Skryne , although it was not recognised in the Peerage of Ireland . The records show that Adam had a number of relations around him, in Ireland, at this time. His brother Thomas and also three other de Feypos – Amauri (the Elder), Amauri (The Younger) and Roger. Adam had four sons – Richard, John, Geoffrey and Gerard and a nephew Mahout also a relative named Geoffrey de Cusack from Cussac, France. The only females mentioned are Adam's wife Lucy and Geoffrey's wife Matilda le Petit. It

1144-521: The early parts of which were in the Irish language, these and other valuable contents were destroyed in a fire prior to his recording in 1941. He also noted that the archives of the estate were collected by Dublin Corporation prior to the fire. Other contents and garden items were purchased by various businesspeople and enthusiasts, the garden gates with gas lamps were at one stage proposed to be put at

1188-433: The ecclesiastical benefices, lands possessions, tithes and offerings, and all things which they at present justly and peacefully possess in our diocese, or which they will be able in the future to obtain as a kind gift by the generosity of princes and offerings of the faithful or by any other just title Among these we have caused the following to be mentioned by their special names: The church of Saint Columba of Scrin, with

1232-575: The estate with the house in the background. This was purchased by a Mr John Wardell of Thomas Street, Dublin and was later donated by his son to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1878. Writing in 1883, Benjamin Adams in 'A History of the Parish of Santry' notes it as "resembling on a minor scale Versailles Palace. It comprises a centre and two wings, the latter thrown forward and connected with

1276-580: The follies and formal gardens on the estate still exist including the stone temple which was transported from the Domvile's other residence at Templeogue in 1858 and is now in situ at Luggala in County Wicklow . A fascimile temple is now in its place. The original phoenix folly also now forms a feature within the public park and is similar to the one contained in the Phoenix Park. The house

1320-478: The house by William Connolly & sons in 1862 for Sir Charles Compton William Domvile, 2nd Baronet (1822 – 10 July 1884) and his wife Lady Margaret Domville likely to a design by the architect Sandham Symes. Charles went bankrupt in June 1874 and most of the high quality interior items were sold off at an auction at the house or sold privately beyond the reach of his creditors. The couple had no children and were

1364-523: The last of Domvile and Barry families to live on the Santry estate with Lady Margaret dying in 1929. Details and photos of the house featured in the Georgian Society Records around 1914 indicating that at that time it was still widely admired. The house remained in the ownership of the wider Domvile family until the death in 1935 of Sir Compton Meade Domvile, 4th Baronet , when the estate passed to his nephew Sir Hugo Poë , who assumed

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1408-409: The later 18th and 19th century. The servants dormer attic rooms were internal with a corridor running around the circumference preventing the inner rooms being observed by visitors as they approached the house. The house also contained an organ gallery, constructed out of the old stable, while the male servants quarters were located opposite both to the rear of the house. The gardens also contained

1452-512: The main body by covered passages. The square of the front of the house is enclosed with iron gates, and in its midst is a pillar recording the pedigree and death of an Arab steed belonging to the present owner". The entrance hall at that time also had its ceiling covered with the coats of arms of 78 of families related or connected with the Domville owners. Among the important items noted in the house by Liam S Gógan were an early genealogical tree,

1496-440: The point of death. There is scarcely any mean between constant health and final death. Anyone born here, who has never left its healthy soil and air, if he be the native people never suffers from the three kinds of fevers. They suffer only from ague (a cold!) and even that is only seldom' The inducements for Adam de Feypo to come to Ireland were possibly twofold. Firstly it would have been his duty to his overlord, de Lacy. Secondly,

1540-534: The present document may come, that I Adam de Feypo, while I was still alive and of sound mind, offered to God and solemnly promise my body to be buried in the monastery of the Blessed Mary of Dublin, where the white monks serve God, and where my brother Thomas (born of the same parents) assumed the habit of religion, and to which monastery I had formerly granted a certain grange, together with all ecclesiastical benefits of all property which I held between Dublin and

1584-591: The river Boyne. It is thought that Adam's body still lies buried beneath a Dublin street between the Chapter House in Meeting House Lane and the City Fruit and Vegetable Market. Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt (third creation) Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt PC (I) (19 August 1697 – 21 October 1751) was an Anglo-Irish politician and peer. Powerscourt

1628-479: The same reason. There were also many gifts, involving Adam after his death, to St Mary's, Dublin executed in his name by charter between 1192 and 1200 and ratified by Pope Clement III . One of these is confirmed by Bishop Simon and the following is the acknowledgement 'To the monastery of St.Mary, near Dublin, and the monks of the Cistercian Order serving God there, all the churches and chapels and all

1672-403: The service of King Henry. In further recognition of his services and the high regard that Hugh de Lacy had for Adam de Feypo he was granted a castle, the lands of Skryne and the estates of 21 soldiers (Chartul. St Mary's Dublin ii, 21) Transcript of that charter, dated before 1176, made by Sir James Ware is – 'Hugh de Lacy gave Adam de Feypo for his service the estates of 21 soldiers, that

1716-458: The surname Domvile. In 1937, the house and grounds came under the stewardship of the state who later acquired it outright and intended to refurbish and extend the house for use as an asylum. These plans were later abandoned during World War II and the house was used as an army depot owing to its proximity to Dublin airport. The house was extensively damaged by a fire in 1947. The remaining farm buildings had their lead flashing removed in 1956 and

1760-413: The wings contained pilasters and blind niches. The wings were each respectively 2 storey and 5 bay structures with a matching 3 bay protruding breakfront. The ends of all rooves within the structure contain stone urns. The interior of the main house contained many notable early 18th century features including finely carved barley twist ballusters and corner fireplaces while other features were added during

1804-428: Was built between 1703-09 by Henry Barry, 3rd Baron Barry of Santry and his wife Bridget Domvile, daughter of Sir Thomas Domvile, 1st Baronet , of Templeogue and granddaughter of William Domville . The house and estate were later inherited by their son Henry Barry, 4th Baron Barry of Santry and quadrant links and wings were added later to give the house a more contemporary Palladian appearance around 1734-60. Henry

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1848-416: Was originally constructed in red brick with stone facings and was 9-bays wide with a pedimented breakfront containing 3 bays. It was 2 storeys over a raised basement with a 3rd storey contained in a dormered attic behind the parapet and stone balustrade which was likely added at a later date The dormered windows contain alternating segmental and triangular pediments. The windows and doors were tall and narrow in

1892-535: Was sentenced to death for murdering one of his servants but ultimately the sentence was commuted to forfeiting his lands and banishment to England. The house was later inherited by his uncle Sir Compton Domvile, 2nd Baronet in 1751. Sir Compton made various unsuccessful attempts to revive the Barry baronetcy. He later in turn passed it to his nephew Charles Pocklington Domvile (1740-1810) on his death in 1768. The later Sir Compton Domvile, 1st Baronet had been made

1936-648: Was the son of Edward Wingfield , MP for County Sligo , and his wife, Eleanor Gore, a daughter of Sir Arthur Gore, 1st Baronet . He was a descendant of the uncle of Folliott Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt . He sat in the Irish House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Boyle between 1727 and 1743. On 4 February 1743 he was elevated to the Peerage of Ireland as Viscount Powerscourt , of Powerscourt in County Wicklow , and Baron Wingfield , of Wingfield in County Wexford , and he assumed his seat in

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