Lissadell House and Gardens, Sligo, Ireland

info@lissadellhouse.com

THE RESTORATION OF LISSADELL

after 70 years of neglect

A PICTORIAL RECORD

2003 - 2008

The avenues at Lissadell in 2003

Potholed avenues with verges used as a local dump (above); rubbish dumped in the coal bunker by the Forge Avenue (below

______________________

Before and After

Forge Avenue after restoration by Pamela Cassidy

Restoration work uncovered and restored the 19th century path on the Forge Avenue by the Kitchen Garden (above)

Cobbled drains at Lissadell by Pamela Cassidy

Restoration work also uncovered the 19th century cobbled drains on the main avenue.

Alpine Garden in 2003, before restoration

The Alpine Garden by 2003, after 70 years of neglect. This 18th century walled garden is in the upper centre of the picture, to the left of the two arch bridge (which is the entrance to Lissadell) and was completely overgrown before work began. Coillte owns the land to the right of the bridge, and the sea shore in the lower half of the picture borders the car park on Coillte land which facilitates visitors to the sea shore.

Inside the Alpine Garden in December 2003. Again, rubbish has been casually dumped.

Alpine Garden after restoration work

The Alpine Garden in 2006 (above), after restoration work had begun. The Coillte car park facilitating visitors to the sea shore is in the upper left hand corner of the photograph.

The Alpine Garden with the daisy walk and echium plants in 2008 (below)

The Alpine Garden in Lissadell by Pamela Cassidy

BEFORE AND AFTER

The 18th century ponds in Alpine Garden uncovered in 2004, when first cleared for restoration (above left) and the 18th century ponds in 2008 (above right)

Alpine Garden at Lissadell by Pamela Cassidy

The Alpine Gardens after restoration work (above)

The Coach House and Riding Arena

(below left) in 2004 when the front and right hand wing had been roofed (below right) in 2008 when visitors were received for 364 days of the year.

Coach House & Riding Arena after restoration work

The Riding Arena in 2003 (above)

The quadrangle and Riding Arena in 2003

and after restoration work (below)

Fruit and Veg in the Riding Arena by Pamela Cassidy

The head gardener's house in 2003

and after restoration

Gardener House by Edward Cecil Francis Walsh

Kitchen Garden in 2003

Walled Garden overgrowth being pulled back

After restoration

The walled Kitchen Garden in 2004 when first cleared for restoration, and in 2008 with the Mayor of Sligo and school children celebrating the heritage potato collection

Kitchen Garden at Lissadell by James Connolly

WALL PAPER: OLD AND NEW

Wallpaper at Lissadell by Pamela Cassidy

Specimens of wall paper, old and new, in the Drawing Room at Lissadell (top). A piece of the old Drawing Room paper is on the right of the table, and has been reproduced and re-hung. The Drawing Room before restoration is pictured above. The drapes came from Classiebawn where Gabrielle Gore Booth, and later her sister Aideen, were land agents.