A Future for Irish Historic Houses - Irish Heritage Trust

Curraghmore, Portlaw, Co. Waterford
Curraghmore is located outside the village of Portlaw in County Waterford. The
present Lord Waterford is a direct descendant of the Le Poers (or Powers) who arrived
in Waterford towards the end of the twelfth century and who later settled in Portlaw:
- Curraghmore dates back to the sixteenth century, although the original
castle tower that forms part of the existing house pre-dates it by some time.
- Curraghmore was enlarged and remodelled at various stages during the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Important architects involved in the
remodelling of Curraghmore included James Wyatt who worked there in
the 1780s. The dining-room is regarded as being among the two or three
finest Wyatt rooms in Ireland. He also designed the blue and yellow
drawing-rooms, the library and a number of smaller rooms.
- The central tower block overlooks a very large forecourt (550 feet long
and 192 feet wide) with long stable ranges on either side characterised by
pedimented archways with blocked columns and pilasters. This feature is
unique to Ireland and, in fact, there are only one or two examples of it in
Britain. It is more commonly seen on the continent. Its inspiration was
probably Vanbrugh’s Blenheim and Seaton Delaval. There is no evidence
as to the date or architect of the courtyard, but it was possibly designed by
John Roberts of Waterford.
- Regarding the interior, the stucco-work at Curraghmore has been described
as being of ‘great delicacy and charm’. The intricately designed ceiling in
the billiard room is the work of the internationally regarded Francini
brothers.
- The four roundels on the dining-room ceiling, depicting the four seasons,
have been attributed to Antonio Zucchi or his wife Angelica Kauffman.
The grisaille panels on the walls are by Peter de Gree.
87