2008 Annual Report - World Monuments Fund

kElls, irEland
Headfort House
26
Headfort House, originally commissioned in 1760, contains the
only work of famed Scottish architect Robert Adam to survive in
Ireland. His elaborate refashioning of the state rooms in the 1770s
offers a strong contrast with the plain neoclassical façade of the
building designed by George Semple.
Since Watch listing in 2004, the World Monuments Fund has worked with
the owners of Headfort House, now a school, to ensure the future of this great
Georgian dwelling. This year, WMF Britain completed what may be the most
thorough physical investigation ever of a Robert Adam interior, analyzing
cross-sections of paint and searching archival records to verify the original
design at the site.
It was determined that published drawings held at Yale University did not,
in fact, reflect the original décor. The findings revealed a unique decorative
scheme, varied and complex. This expanded the significance of Headfort, now
known not only to contain the sole surviving Adam interior in Ireland but also
to preserve previously unknown aspects of Adam’s work.
This year, WMF also completed mechanical and electrical repairs in the Stair
Hall, Dean’s Hall, and Eating Parlour, including the installation of a fire safety
system. The restoration of the Stair Hall was completed: woodwork was
repaired and French polished, a labor-intensive process that imparts a high
gloss, and a banister was returned to its original design. A partition dividing
the original space was removed. The stone floor was cleaned and repaired, as
was the window glazing. Interpretive panels were prepared and installed in the
Stair Hall to help visitors understand the significance of this unique décor.
Left: Mid-restoration,
the original green color
scheme is coming to
light. Below: The Eating
Parlour, pre-restoration.
Watch 2004