Conference | The Country House Revived?

Posted in conferences (to attend) by Editor on May 12, 2017

The 15th Annual Historic Houses Conference: The Country House Revived?
Dublin Castle, 19–21 June 2017

The focus of this conference is the survival and revival of historic houses in Ireland, the UK, and Europe in the course of the last fifty years. Across Europe increasing numbers of houses are opening their doors to the public, presenting and interpreting their histories in imaginative ways, looking to engage with local communities, and to diversify in terms of commercial activities. This holds true for houses in private ownership as well as for those in the guardianship of national heritage organisations, local authorities, or other bodies. Historic houses and their landscapes are uniquely poised to take advantage of international and domestic trends in cultural tourism and heritage learning. The historic house in all its manifestations remains a constant feature in the curriculum, from scholarly study to heritage, conservation, and management training, and the creative arts. The enduring relevance of the historic house is also defined by its role as an important economic driver at local, regional, and national levels.

Growing numbers of houses are engaging in numerous ways with the external world as opposed to feeling beleaguered and retreating behind closed doors. How do we assess this recent history? Every house operates under its own unique circumstances, influenced by governance, ownership, funding, scholarly investigation, national trends, or other factors. There is no single model for historic houses: each one makes different choices for creating a sustainable future. There are many definitions of the concept of ‘revival’. The Country House Revived? is aimed at a wide audience of owners, scholars, students, heritage professionals, policy makers, and the many people with a general interest in the built heritage. Papers will examine a variety of topics and perspectives from across Europe, comparing issues and experiences that have affinities as well as contrasts. The conference will also explore ways in which this sector of the built heritage can foster future collaborative activity.

Accompanying the conference will be a photographic exhibition illustrating a variety of houses from across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, and chronicling their recent past.

More information is available here»

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M O N D A Y , 1 9 J U N E 2 0 1 7

11.00 Registration and Coffee

12.00 Welcome and Introduction

12.30 The Wider View 1
• Ben Cowell, Historic Houses Association
• Loyd Grossman, Heritage Alliance Speaker, Europa Nostra, TBC

13.45 Lunch

14.30 Case Studies 1
• John Munro, Ledreborg, Denmark
• Terezia Bardi, Esterhazy Palace, Hungary
• Elyze Storms-Smeets, Houses of Gelderland, Netherlands
• James Hervey Bathurst, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

15.45 Tea

16.15 Case Studies 2
• Stephanos Germenis, Blatna, Czech Republic
• Claudius Wecke, Branitz Castle and Park, Germany
• Hilary McGrady, Clandon Park and the National Trust
• Dorothea Depner, Castletown House, Co Kildare

17.30 Break

17.45 Terence Dooley, Reflections on the Historic Irish House Today

18.45 Tour and Reception, Dublin Castle

T U E S D A Y , 2 0 J U N E 2 0 1 7

9.00 Coffee

9.30 Case Studies 3
• Koen de Vlieger-de Wilde, Kasteel d’Ursel, Belgium
• Balazs Banyai, Nadasdy House, Hungary
• Friederike Drinkuth, Country Houses in Mecklenberg Western-Pomerania
• Petr Svoboda, Uholicky, Czech Republic

10.45 Coffee

11.15 The Wider View 2
• Annie Tindley, Scottish Country Houses
• Kevin Baird, Irish Heritage Trust
• Rodolphe de Looz-Corswarem, European Historic Houses Association Speaker, European Cultural Tourism Network, TBC

12.30 Picnic Lunch Farmleigh

14.00 Depart for Castletown House

14.45 Tour of Castletown House

16.00 Ways and Means, Ireland
• Julian Gaisford St Lawrence, Irish Historic Houses Association
• Charles Colthurst, Blarney Castle, Co Cork
• Martin Colreavy, DAHRRG

17.15 Reception

18.15 Depart for Maynooth University

18.45 Tour of Pugin Buildings, Maynooth University

19.30 Dinner, Pugin Hall

22.00 Return to Dublin

W E D N E S D A Y , 2 1 J U N E 2 0 1 7

9.00 Coffee

9.30 Ruins, Recovery, and Re-Use
• John Goodall, Country Life Magazine
• Julia Korensky, English Ruins
• Matthew Beckett, England’s Lost Heritage
• Merlin Waterson, Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire

10.45 Coffee

11.15 Case Studies 4
• James Birch, Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire
• Britta Andersen, Gammel Estrup, Denmark
• Alexandre de Vogue, Vaux-le-Vicomte
• Frances Bailey, National Trust, Northern Ireland

12.30 Lunch

13.45 Scholarship and the Country House
• Martin Postle, Paul Mellon Centre, London
• David Adshead, Attingham Trust
• Leo Schmidt, BTU Cottbus, Germany
• Myles Campbell, Office of Public Works

15.00 Tea

15.30 Christopher Ridgway, How Stands the Country House Now?

16.15 Closing Remarks

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